For decades, scientists around the world have dedicated their lives—and research dollars—to one question: Is there anyone else out there in the universe? In the early 1970s, NASA joined the hunt with its own program to search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). When that was defunded by Congress, private efforts took hold. But just what have these efforts taught us, and how should we approach the search for extraterrestrial life and intelligence? Seeking intelligent life beyond our planet is a fundamentally human endeavor, supporters argue, and expands our understanding of the cosmos. Discovering intelligent life could show us where our species fits into the greater universe, they contend, and help humankind live and survive on Earth and beyond. But critics warn that SETI is a fantasy and distraction that, at best, diverts crucial resources from other scientific endeavors and, at worst, could threaten our species' survival. Just what would happen if we actually do find other beings, they ask, and what if the intelligent life is hostile or dangerous? Should we search for extraterrestrial life? Audio only.

Originally released by Intelligence Squared US, 2022. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on December 13, 2022.