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For decades, Earth scientists have been using radio telescopes to listen for messages from outer space. For decades we haven't gotten any messages. But that's no reason to stop trying.

And what if we do get a call? What do we answer? The SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) Institute is soliciting ideas. Here are some of the suggestions so far.

• "This is Earth speaking. We would like to know you. Please reply."
• "Down here we are all confused."
• "Don't kidnap us and poke us. We hate that."
• "We've got guns and we know how to use them."
• "If we discover intelligent life beyond Earth we should not reply -- we should freeze and play dead."
• "There's nothing to see here. Move along."

My own suggestion would be, "Let's have a beer and talk about life."