Searching for SETI: The Social Construction of Aliens and the Quest for a Technological Mythos

This dissertation uses Actor Network Theory (ANT) and Stark and Bainbridge's rational choice theory of religion to analyze an established but controversial branch of science and technology, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Of particular interest are the cultural, and sometimes religious, assumptions that its creators have built into it. The purpose of this analysis is not to discredit SETI, but instead to show how SETI, along with other avant-garde scientific projects, is founded, motivated, and propelled by many of the same types of values and visions for the future that motivate the founders of religious groups. I further argue that the utopian zeal found in SETI and similar movements is not aberrant, but instead common, and perhaps necessary, in many early-stage projects, whether technical or spiritual, which lack a clear near-term commercial or social benefit.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Science and Technology Studies

Department dc:contributor.department

Science and Technology in Society

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Bozeman, John Marvin

Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair

• Abbate, Janet E.
• Brown, Shannon A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Renard, Paul D.
• Zwanziger, Lee L.

• Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
• SETI
• Actor Network Theory
• Social Construction of Technology
• Rational Choice Theory of Religion
• Transhumanism
• xenosalvation

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:5015

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/51745