Bernard M. 'Barney' Oliver

“The probabilities of success are difficult to estimate; but if we never search, the chance of success is zero.”

“A single message from space will show that it is possible to live through a technological adolescence.”

“Of all the questions that have been asked by mankind, the question 'Are we alone?' is the most fundamental.”

“We have reached a moment in history where for the first time we are capable of finding out whether or not we are alone.”

“It is an article of faith among astronomers that we are not alone. But faith is not proof.”

“We must not be too anthropocentric, or even too 'biocentric.' There may be other intelligences that have nothing to do with life.”

“The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition.”

“Nothing is so big nor so crazy that one out of a million technological societies may not feel itself driven to do it.”

“If we succeed, the benefits to humanity will be incalculable. If we fail, we will have lost very little, but we will have done the honorable thing.”

“It seems to me that it's worth a little bit of effort, a very small fraction of our total resources, to look.”