On: SETI spots dozens of new mysterious signals emanating from distant galaxy

[gnulinux]

But isn't there a certain probability we missed those radio waves back when we didn't know radio and now the earth is receiving more sophisticated signals humans can't yet analyze?

[saudioger → gnulinux]

Sure, it's also possible the universe immediately surrounding us was teeming with life a billion years ago and we just missed it all anyway.

We can only try our best with the current means we have available.

[cde-v → gnulinux]

We could have missed those signals millions of years ago, but we could also start receive a civ's first ever radio broadcast tomorrow (that would be incredibly lucky).

[jcelerier → cde-v]

> we could also start receive a civ's first ever radio broadcast tomorrow (that would be incredibly lucky).

not a chance. Our own radio transmissions barely go past the solar system before going under the noise floor.

[saagarjha → jcelerier]

Maybe not their first radio broadcast, but possible one of their early, directed ones…