Among the countless galaxies in the known universe, is Earth the
only planet blessed with life?
Is this some miracle by chance, never to be reproduced on
another world, in another galaxy?
In 399 b.c., the great philosopher Socrates was accused of not
believing in the gods in which the state believed. He was tried and
found guilty of corrupting Athenian youth and religious heresy. He
was sentenced and put to death by the use of a poison he chose to
ingest.
Galileo was warned not to defend Copernican Astronomy because it
went against the doctrine of the time. In 1616, Galileo was
demanded to stop teaching his theory that the sun was the centre of
our universe and everything revolved around it. The belief at that
time was that the Earth was the centre and the sun (and everything
else) revolved around the Earth. Galileo was eventually hauled
before an Inquisition and was condemned to house arrest, for life.
After 10 years, he died while still under house arrest. We know
today, of course, that Galileo was indeed correct.
Throughout history people have been unjustly ridiculed,
harassed, and even severely punished for their views and ideas that
didn't seem to quite fit in with the currently accepted
beliefs.
So what do you think?
Are we the only intelligent life out there?
Contemplating this question late one night while surfing the
net, all of a sudden, without warning, a blindingly, bright light
beamed through our office window. The light was hypnotising. I
tried to talk, but could not say a word. I tried to move, but could
not move a muscle. Sitting mesmerised in my office chair, trying to
come to terms with what was happening, the light disappeared as
quickly as it started. After a second or two I realised that I
could once again move and talk. A thousand things started running
through my mind… “What had just happened?”
I glanced at my computer and saw the following numbers streaming
on my screen. I am convinced that they have some sort of hidden
meaning behind them. Can you help me solve this mystery?
Please note: The cache is not located at the above co-ordinates,
but do not fear as the prize that you seek is less than 500m metres
away!