THE DIALOGIC MODEL - REPRESENTING HUMAN-DIVERSITY IN MESSAGES TO EXTRATERRESTRIALS

A Dialogic Model of constructing a unified reply message is suggested in which differences between perspectives are valued, rather than mini mized. In this model, a diversity of views is seen as a virtue. Consen sus in the broad sense of agreeing to include multiple perspectives is encouraged, while consensus in the narrow sense of everyone agreeing about all parts of the message is seen as overly restrictive, if not i mpossible. In the Dialogic Model, even perspectives that are irreconci lable with one another might be included in a single reply. Drawing up on multiple perspectives allows us to expand beyond our own preconcept ions, gives extraterrestrials Several ways to understand our views of the world, and portrays the breadth of human concerns. Seven benefits of beginning work on a reply message immediately are identified: (1) c oncretely understanding the challenge of creating an adequate reply; ( 2) helping decode messages from extraterrestrials; (3) creating inters tellar compositions as a new form of art;(4) having a reply ready in c ase we receive a message; (5) providing a sense of concrete accomplish ment; (6) preparing for an active search strategy; and (7) gaining pub lic support for SETI. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.