In the lead-up to the Drake Awards ceremony, at which she is this year’s honoree, Dr. Lori Marino, Founder of the Whale Sanctuary Project, was this week’s guest on the SETI Live broadcast.
SETI (the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) explores the origins of life and intelligence and the mysteries of the cosmos. Through cutting-edge research, education programs, and public outreach, it strives to expand humanity’s understanding of the universe.
Dr. Marino’s work as a neuroscientist has led to major breakthroughs in our knowledge about the cognitive capacities of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises). Understanding how life and intelligence have evolved on our own planet helps scientists in the field of astrobiology explore how it may have evolved elsewhere in the cosmos.
Lori’s work brings to the foreground of the scientific community the urgency of bringing an end to the cruel exploitation of whales and dolphins, along with other animals, for human entertainment.
Among the questions she addresses in this episode of SETI Live:
- What makes whale and dolphin communication and intelligence scientifically compelling to the search for extraterrestrial life?
- Are we beginning to identify language-like structure in cetacean communication?
- What are the some of the ethical questions that arise as we learn more about intelligence in other animals?
This year’s Drake Award, which Lori receives this evening, affirms that any meaningful search for intelligent life beyond Planet Earth must be grounded in our ability to live in harmony with our fellow animals on this planet.
(Title image of Jupiter courtesy of NASA Goddard.)