David Martel wrote:
[...]

   SETI lacks funding because the funding process (my experience is in NIH 
but I think NSF is about the same) involves rating a bunch of projects and 
then handing out the available money to the ones with the highest ranks. 
Let's be clear on that, SETI, when rated by fairly competent scientists, is 
rated lower than other projects. SETI is fundamentally weak and isn't likely 
to get funded.
   SETI is creating a catalog of odd radio signals. I imagine that 

[...]

Hopefully, we have /all/ of astronomy and physics looking for "odd
signals" in whatever searches and experiments that are being run.
Something 'unexpected' might unexpectedly turn out to be an ET artifact...

Also hopefully, SETI can in itself have enough spin-off benefits, such
as Boinc for example, to then be seen worthy of funding.


(OK, all very 'hopefully' :-) )

Keep searchin',
Martin

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