Douglas Vakoch, PhD

As a scientist searching for life in the universe and working to preserve civilization on Planet Earth, Dr. Douglas Vakoch travels between the inner space of the psyche and the outer space of the cosmos. As a leading researcher in both astrobiology and psychology, he provides unique insights into the human significance of the age-old question, “Are we alone?”

After sixteen years as part of Silicon Valley’s SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), Dr. Vakoch broke away to create METI, the scientific organization whose namesake activity is Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence—the controversial project that sends powerful, intentional radio signals to nearby stars, in the hope of provoking a response. “The New Yorker” magazine calls him “The Man Who Speaks for Earth.”

Dr. Vakoch is an elected member of the International Astronomical Union and the International Institute for Space Law, and he received the Leonardo da Vinci Space Art Award “for dedication to the language and codes for broader cosmic reception and communication and their broader cultural meanings.” He has edited fifteen books including “Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence” (SUNY Press), “The Drake Equation: Estimating the Prevalence of Extraterrestrial Life through the Ages” (Cambridge University Press), and “Psychology of Space Exploration” (NASA). He also serves as editor-in-chief of Springer’s Space and Society book series.

Dr. Vakoch frequently appears in film and television documentaries, where he explores the hunt for life in the cosmos. His expertise includes space exploration, the societal impact of science, and environmental threats to humanity’s long-term survival. His work has been featured in such publications as “The New York Times,” “The Economist,” “Nature,” “Science,” and “WIRED,” and he has been interviewed for numerous radio and television broadcasts on networks ranging from the BBC to the Science Channel, with recent segments on PBS’s “NOVA Wonders” and the History Channel’s “In Search Of” with Zachary Quinto. He was featured in the films “Calling E.T.,” which had its American premiere at SXSW, and “The Visit,” which premiered at Sundance.

Dr. Vakoch is President of METI — Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence, located in San Francisco, CA.

Talk Summary: Don’t Fear an Alien Invasion

On November 16th, 1974, exactly 45 years to the day before TEDxNormal 2019 – for the first time, humanity transmitted powerful, intentional radio signals to the stars, in the hope of starting a cosmic conversation.

The human response to the transmission was delight … and condemnation. The British Astronomer Royal denounced the message, saying that the extraterrestrials could be malevolent, perhaps even hungry. In more recent years, such luminaries as Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk have cautioned that we should not reveal our location in the universe, for fear of an alien invasion.

In his TEDxNormal talk, first, Dr. Vakoch will reveal the key point that all of these critics are missing; second, he will explain why it’s too late to hide; and finally, he will show why we as a species should have the courage to reach out to other civilizations.