The increasingly high-profile reports of Michael Luckman’s proposed Signal to Space Concerts give one the impression that smoke is slowly turning to fire. The concept, as reported, is a sort of Live Aid/We Are The World approach to contact with Extraterrestrials (or Extradimensionals, or – for that matter – Cryptoterrestrials, depending on who’s blog you frequent). This new millennial update promises a synchronized, international array of rock stars, royalty, lasers, landing pads, etc., forming a human welcome mat for interested celestial parties.
Mr. Luckman, director of The Center for Extraterrestrial Research, is the author of the fascinating “Alien Rock: The Rock ‘N’ Roll Extraterrestrial Connection.” With this latest endeavor he looks to be dusting off the Love In, last sighting , circa 1967. At face value it’s a timely idea but might this also be a case of “be careful what you wish for?”
After the “space brothers” craze of the 1950’s, perceptions of Extrawhatevers turned decidedly downbeat. Since 1961’s landmark Barney and Betty Hill case the more credible “us meets them” tales tell mostly of abductions, shoot-downs and mutilations: both animal and – according to some reports – human. Not the kind of goings-on you’d want at your hoe-down. Of course, the target demographic for Signal to Space is the more subdued, avuncular aliens of old. But what if the wrong cow jumps over the moon first? What you’d get then is Cosmic Altamont. One envisions a grand scale encore of that scene in the film Independence Day, where the assembled New Age multitude gazes lovingly up at the battle cruiser preparing to incinerate them.
On the other hand, as an arguably native species, we haven’t exactly distinguished ourselves here these past millennia. Our transgressions against each other are the stuff of infamy and our parasitic relationship to our home planet should be obvious to any technology with a space probe. Viewed in that light, Signal to Space may prove either a musical S.O.S or a global Last Waltz. As time goes by we have increasingly less to lose. And the benefits of a concerted effort (pun optional) to publicize the UFO phenomena - increasingly hard to ignore even by the flacid American media - could well outweigh the risks.
So, ok, Michael Luckman & co., you all have a good howl at the stars. Root Deco wishes you well and hopes that, if they do come, they Come In Peace.
We've just recently landed here and are already impressed with the quality of the neighborhood. It's at once intimidating and inspiring. As a couple of reclusive aesthetes we've always got the Wise One's admonition ringing in our heads, "I'd be afraid to join a club that would have me as a member," we're rather glad we ignored the mental tinitus this time around. We look forward to stopping by to appreciate everyone's contribution over time and maybe even slithering out from under our virtual rock for a chat now and then, and we invite you to stop by and do the same.
See you all around.
Larry V
Root Deco
