It’s time to ask the big one: will we make contact with aliens in the next millennium?

He smiles. His fingers click the pressure pads. The answer comes seven minutes later. ‘Even if life developed in other stellar systems, the chances of catching it at a recognizably human stage are very small. Any alien life we encounter will be much more primitive or much more advanced than us. And if it’s more advanced why hasn’t it spread through the galaxy and visited Earth? It could be that there is an advanced race out there which is aware of our existence but is leaving us to stew in our own primitive juices. However, I doubt they would be so considerate to a lower life form. Some people believe that the reason we have not been contacted is that when a civilisation reaches our stage of development it becomes unstable and destroys itself. But I’m an optimist. I think we have a good chance of avoiding nuclear war and Armageddon.’

Vocabulary

keep ahead of … - опережать в развитии

have an advantage of … - иметь преимущество в …

show no sign of intelligence … - не проявлять признаков интеллекта

earthworm, n – земляной червь

similar, a - подобный

limitation, a - ограничение

expect, v - ожидать

at the expense of … - за счёт

quick-witted, a – сообразительный, остроумный

encounter, v - встречать

advanced, a - развитый

considerate, a - внимательный

reach, v - достигать

destroy, v - разрушать

avoid, v – избегать

Exercises

Exercise 1. True or false? Correct the false ones.

1) Computer’s speed and complexity double every 12 months.

2) The limit of human intelligence has been set by the size of the human brain.

3) Further increases in the complexity of the brain will be at the expense of speed.

4) We can be both very intelligent and quick-witted.

5) Any alien life we encounter will be much more primitive or much more advanced than us.

Exercise 2. You are going to make predictions about the state of the world at the end of the 21^st century. Answer the following questions.

Work and industry

1) Will people work an average 40 hours a week? If not, will they work more or less?

2) Will the majority of people work from home? What kind of work will they be able to do from home?

3) Will there be less or more unemployment? What new industries will grow and develop?

4) Will landlines become obsolete or will some other form of communication appear?

Health and society

1) Will people live longer? If yes, how much longer? Will we find the secret to eternal life?

2) Will we find cures for cancer and other life threatening diseases?

3) Will society become more violent and dangerous? Will the gap between rich and poor narrow or increase?

4) Will people become less sociable? Will it become more difficult to meet new people?

5) Will the family unit still exist?

6) What other changes will take place?

Leisure time and holidays

1) What will people do in their free time? Will they have more or less free time?

2) Will they do the kinds of leisure activities we do today?

3) Will there be new kinds of sports or hobbies?

4) Will we be able to go on virtual holidays without leaving our homes?

5) Will people continue to travel around the world or will there be purpose –built holiday complexes in each town offering tropical microclimates and artificial tourist attractions?

6) What other changes do you envisage?