Murmurs of Earth CD?

Brian Olewnick · December-13th-2005, 09:34 AM

A friend of mine is desparately looking for the CD that accompanied the 1992 release of the book "Murmurs of Earth", a re-issue (the book) documenting the voyager space flight, the one that included a gold-plated disc bearing samples of Earth-music. Here's a brief description:

The definitive work about the Voyager record is "Murmurs of Earth" by Sagan, Drake, Lomberg et.al. Basically, this book is the story behind the creation of the record, and includes a full list of everything on the record. "Murmurs of Earth", originally published in 1978, was reissued in 1992 by Warner News Media and includes a CD-ROM that replicates the Voyager record. Unfortunately, this book is now out of print, but it is worth the effort to try and find a used copy or browse through a library copy.

Apparently, it's very difficult to come by. If anyone happens to own a copy and would be willing to burn me one, it'd be greatly appreciated and, of course, I'd reimburse whatever costs are involved.

Thanks!

Gary Sisco · December-13th-2005, 09:43 AM

I always thought it funny, the assumption that an alien race out there, somewhere, would know what an lp is -- or have a turntable to play one on.

Brian Olewnick · December-13th-2005, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

I always thought it funny, the assumption that an alien race out there, somewhere, would know what an lp is -- or have a turntable to play one on.

I think the original was in digital format but, yeah, there were tons of assumptions in the whole project that were pretty anthropocentric. I remember reading an analysis of the visual component--you remember the man and woman standing side by side with various symbols around them?--interpreting it in an utterly different but no less valid manner, ie. "We humans have large arrow-shaped lines emerging from our waists..." etc.

Gary Sisco · December-13th-2005, 10:09 AM

It was a gold lp, the original.

Millions and millions of grooves.

Brian Olewnick · December-13th-2005, 10:21 AM

Yep, you're correct.

Instructions, in symbolic language, explain the origin of the spacecraft and indicate how the record is to be played. The 115 images are encoded in analog form. The remainder of the record is in audio, designed to be played at 16-2/3 revolutions per minute. It contains the spoken greetings, beginning with Akkadian, which was spoken in Sumer about six thousand years ago, and ending with Wu, a modern Chinese dialect. Following the section on the sounds of Earth, there is an eclectic 90-minute selection of music, including both Eastern and Western classics and a variety of ethnic music.

16 2/3 rpm!

I think the person who wants this intends to use the contents as part of an art project, commenting on just the sort of "hubris" you alluded to earlier.

Gary Sisco · December-14th-2005, 09:09 AM

Who sez they'd even have ears?

No end to questions like that.

Brian Olewnick · December-14th-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

Who sez they'd even have ears?

No end to questions like that.

Oh come on, Sisco. Everyone has ears.

Sheesh.

Gary Sisco · December-14th-2005, 09:36 AM

And who sez they'd know the binary system?

Brian Olewnick · December-14th-2005, 10:26 AM

Off-topic, Sisco, but I just came across a term that I think you'd enjoy:

Trustafarians.

heh-heh...

walto · December-14th-2005, 10:56 AM

Wasn't there a Star Trek in which the point was to explain why there were so many creatures all over the universe with two ears, two eyes, two legs, etc.? I think the theory was that all life was evolving from the same DNA or something like that.

In reality, life forms even on earth alone is pretty various. Horseshoe crabs, e.g., really freak me out, and when sci-fi types do want different looking monster thingies, they seem to realize this.