Craigslist to Beam Ads into Space (for Free) 251
rdarden writes "According to a press release issues yesterday, Craigslist will be broadcasting 10,000 ads into space later this year. CEO Jim Buckmaster won an eBay auction offered by Deep Space Communications Network, a Cape Canaveral, Florida company. According to an article at Technewsworld.com, they may have already received permission from 10,000 ad submitters."
Beam ads ? (Score:5, Insightful)
If itz's light, no doubt, it is. The Macunmba disco (near Geneva) had to stop lighting the sky at night for ecological reasons.
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:2, Informative)
However, it was a group of ecologists who pushed for the prosecution (rather like prosecuting Al Capone for tax evasion).
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:5, Interesting)
Point high gain direction antenna into space, crank watts up to 100, have TNC transmit tones into space.
Want to get fancier? use a old discarded sattelite dish, point it straight up. get a 2ghz transmitter surplus Microwave oven at the focal point will do.
either modulate the carrier (hard) or transmit Via CW (easier
have a 10,000 watt deep space "transmitter" (1000 watt microwave into a 10dbi gain antenna is close to that... most 10 foot dishes are 20+dbi)
either way the signal is not going to go very far (interstellar speaking) and is a huge waste of money that is purely for the fool to spend his money on.
Case in point.... CEO of Craigslist.
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:5, Insightful)
Why is he a fool? His aim seems to have been to get attention for his company for little cost, at which he has probably succeeded.
The fools, if anyone, are the people getting excited at this.
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:4, Funny)
"I claim your planet in the name of Earth. Surrender or die."
I'm expecting an answer back in a few thousand years.
Life comparable to us needs simultaneous evolution (Score:3, Insightful)
Assuming that intelligent life follows the same evolutionary spurts that the human race has followed in the past few thousand years, we can conclude that evolution of intelligent life is on a scale God knows how many magnitudes faster than the pace of construction/destruction of stars/planets etc.
Thus, although by numbers, there may be a massive number of potential sites for life out the
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:4, Funny)
Imagine if the SETI folks received a message like that from another planet. If it managed to make mainstream news, people would be freaking out.
I want to send the message "Ecosystem failing. Need ride off this rock. Pick up at Long -118.20193 Lat 33.85908, Earth."
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:5, Funny)
I'm going to be very angry when some superpowerful aliens show up to put themselves on our "do not call " list with an Earth-destroying weapon.
the intergalactic community doesn't use DNC (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:5, Funny)
Or this... [google.com]
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:5, Funny)
but do they make one that you can crank up to 111?
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:5, Informative)
The recieved signal would be at least -300dBm. You know what kind of transmitter can Rx a signal at -300dBm? The magical non existant kind. No one is recieving these ads, no matter what any ham operator can do, or craigs list.
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:5, Insightful)
"Yeah, we'll dump the nuclear waste in the Pacific. The containers are sealed so tight, there's no way they're gonna leak." 350 years later our children's children will have an ecological disaster of such scale on their hands that Hiroshima will be remembered fondly as "the good ol' days".
"Stop pollution? But that would cost us votes... erm, jobs! No way!" What is the long term cost, we wonder? I don't want my grandchildren to live in a future where they buy CocaCola Pure Mountain Air, do you?
This is just the newest folly in a long list of follies that the human race produced over the centuries. Craigslist sees it as a slick marketing move - they'll get all the free publicity they need with this one. They can now safely claim they boldly spammed where nobody spammed before. But that's as far as they think; other consequences, if any, escapes them completely.
Anyone remember the Voyager message? That was something our race could be proud of. 15 years later we're sending another message, which makes me wish there's no one out there to receive it. I wish they would begin and end their transmission with this disclaimer:
"This message represents only the human corporation known as Craiglist, and not in any way, shape or form the entirety of the human race. Any complaints, jams, deathray beams or any other form of communication related with this transmission should be directed towards the aforementioned entity."
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:2)
More like "But that would cost us millions in corporate donations! No way!"
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Beam ads ? (Score:2, Interesting)
Questionable? It's downright evil, if you ask me. Think of all the time wasted being bombarded by nonsense and the added stress factors, the people killed in highway accidents who were distracted by ads, and so on.
Plus, imagine if, say, Einstein or Newton or Shakespeare were distracted with ads and made to waste their time shredding boatloads of unsolicited credit card applications? I think the overall cost of unrestrained advertising is far greater th
spammers... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:spammers... (Score:4, Funny)
I can just see it now, sector ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha [wikipedia.org] will be blocked by a RBL. And when aliens talk about blackholes, they don't mean DNS.
Re:spammers... (Score:4, Funny)
That sucks.
Re:spammers... (Score:2)
No problem.
Cue Craig beaming out an uncut version of The Ring [imdb.com] like they did in Scary Movie Part 3 [imdb.com]
Re:spammers... (Score:2)
2035, first contact with an alien species (Score:5, Funny)
Alien spaceship: "All your Burger Kings are belong to us."
Re:2035, first contact with an alien species (Score:4, Funny)
Alien 2: Main screen turn on
Alien 1 + 2 together: oohhhhhh f. it's spam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*boom*
Yay Earth! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Yay Earth! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Yay Earth! (Score:2)
In a Galaxy Far Far Away... (Score:5, Funny)
Alien 2: What does it say?
Alien 1: Increase it's size by 3 inches!!!
Alien 2: ?????
Re:In a Galaxy Far Far Away... (Score:2, Redundant)
Alien 1: Sir we're receiving a transmission...
Alien 2: What you say?
Alien 1: Someone set us up the bomb
Alien 2: ?????
Sorry, couldn't resist
Re:In a Galaxy Far Far Away... (Score:2)
Not sillier than sending them to humans, who we already know don't have pen!ses.
Re:In a Galaxy Far Far Away... (Score:2)
They don't seem to care (spammers, because Freud said that women _do_ care about not having penises, but then, Freud was just a troubled old man).
Great (Score:5, Funny)
That's the least of it (Score:2, Funny)
SWMISOGAAP (Score:2, Funny)
Re:SWMISOGAAP (Score:2, Funny)
I know!!! (Score:2, Funny)
2. Send it into space
3. ???????
4. Profit
I can see it now (Score:3, Funny)
Fan-frickin'-tastic.
Re:I can see it now (Score:2)
Re:I can see it now (Score:2)
Who said that? I was thinking more like:
"Hey, Earth. The crops we planted seem to attract the wrath of horrifying space monsters, and we only have enough supplies to last us exactly as long as it would take for you to ship us more... Hello? Hello? Yeah, Ross in those leather pants is pretty funny, but seriously, we're hosed."
I can just see the ads beamed out into space... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I can just see the ads beamed out into space... (Score:5, Funny)
Don't panic (Score:3, Funny)
October 14, 2005: Earth obliterated by the Intergalactic Anti-Spam Defense Force
October 15, 2005: [Nothing]
Re:Don't panic (Score:2)
Douglas Adams is laughing his ASS off right now... (Score:3, Funny)
Last request (Score:5, Funny)
Why not (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Why not (Score:2)
I can see it now (Score:5, Funny)
FOR SALE: **DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH**. Third planet from Sun. Surface mainly dihydrogen monoxide with some silicates. Good starter planet for young, carbon-based species. Still has much of original fossil fuel deposits. Excellent views of Venus, Mars. Small hole in ozone layer. Aboriginal biped humanoid species infestation can easily be removed with genetically engineered plague, or runaway nanotech "accident".
PRICE: 1.2 Million Quatloos. **CALL NOW** will not be listed for long at this price!
At least if we get invaded (Score:2, Funny)
Beaming? Where? (Score:2, Redundant)
Re:Beaming? Where? (Score:2, Funny)
The first interstellar 419? (Score:2, Funny)
Let me introduce myself. I am James Obayyama Coquhamm'uoy of Nigeria, on the African continent, on a small blue-green planet circling a star known as 'sol'
Recently, my government was overthrown by dissidents and my father, General Christian Obayyama Coquhamm'uoy was killed.
Upon his death, it was discovered that he had accumulated a large fortune which we need to get off this planet as soon as possible.
My dear friend. I am a God-fearing man. I am putting my trust in you, another Go
2005: A Space Aneurism (Score:5, Funny)
--
BMO
Any signal is worth sending.... (Score:5, Interesting)
If it's paid for by idiots for the expected publicity, then all the better - less budget for them to spend on spamming me!
Justin.
Lets just pray they filter the ads (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Lets just pray they filter the ads (Score:2)
First Contact (Score:2, Funny)
Wher odes ICANN fit into this? (Score:2)
- ICANN to regulate new galacy-TLDs
- FCC demands broadcast flag for interplanetary communications.
new message (Score:5, Funny)
MR.SOLOMON ALEMAYEHU
WORLD BANK OF EARTH
STREET P.O.BOX 5550
ADDIS ABABA,ETHIOPIA, EARTH, THE MILKYWAY.
DEAR SIR/MADAM/THING,
I AM MR.SOLOMON ALEMAYEHU, BANK MANAGER OF WORLD BANK OF EARTH.
THIS IS AN URGENT AND VERY CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS PROPOSITION.
ON 1123.423123 METRIC DATE
UPON MATURITY,I SENT A ROUTINE NOTIFICATION TO HIS FORWARDING ADDRESS BUT GOT NO REPLY. AFTER A MONTH,WE SENT A REMINDER AND FINALLY WE DISCOVERED FROM HIS CONTRACT EMPLOYERS, THE MARTIAN PETROLEUM CORPORATION THAT MR. MICHAEL FOSTER DIED FROM AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT.
ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION,I FOUND OUT THAT HE DIED WITHOUT MAKING A WILL,AND ALL ATTEMPTS TO TRACE HIS NEXT OF KIN WAS FRUITLESS.
I THEREFORE MADE FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND DISCOVERED THAT MR. MICHAEL FOSTER DID NOT DECLARE ANY KIN OR RELATIONS IN ALL HIS OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS,INCLUDING HIS BANK DEPOSIT PAPER WORK IN MY BANK HERE ON EARTH.THIS SUM OF 26,500,000.00 HAS CAREFULLY BEEN FIXED IN MY BANK FOR SAFEKEEPING.
NO ONE WILL EVER COME FORWARD TO CLAIM IT.ACCORDING TO EARTH LAW, AT THE EXPIRATION OF 5 (FIVE) STANDARD EARTH YEARS, THE MONEY WILL REVERT TO THE OWNERSHIP OF THE GOVERNMENT IF NOBODY APPLIES TO CLAIM THE FUND.CONSEQUENTLY, MY PROPOSAL IS THAT I WILL LIKE YOU AS A ALIEN TO STAND IN AS THE OWNER OF THE MONEY WHICH WAS FIXED DEPOSITED IN MY BANK.I AM WRITING YOU BECAUSE I AS A PUBLIC SERVANT,I CANNOT OPERATE A NON-SOLAR-SYSTEM ACCOUNT.
I WANT TO PRESENT YOU AS THE OWNER OF THE FUNDS SO YOU CAN BE ABLE TO CLAIM THEM WITH THE HELP OF MY ATTORNEY. THIS IS SIMPLE.I WILL LIKE YOU TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATELY YOUR FULL NAMES AND ADDRESS SO THAT THE ATTORNEY WILL PREPARE THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS WHICH WILL PUT YOU IN PLACE AS THE BENEFICIARY OF THE FUNDS.
THE MONEY WILL BE MOVED OUT FOR US TO SHARE IN THE RATIO OF 80% FOR ME AND 20% FOR YOU. THE PAPERWORK FOR THIS TRANSACTION WILL BE DONE BY THE ATTORNEY.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE REPLY IMMEDIATELY VIA THE SAME METHOD THIS REACHES YOU AND UPON YOUR RESPONSE, I SHALL THEN PROVIDE YOU WITH MORE DETAILS AND RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE TRANSACTION.
PLEASE OBSERVE UTMOST CONFIDENTIALITY, AND BE REST ASSURED THAT THIS TRANSACTION WOULD BE MOST PROFITABLE FOR BOTH OF US BECAUSE I SHALL REQUIRE YOUR ASSISTANCE TO INVEST MY SHARE IN REAL ESTATE WITHIN YOUR PLANET.
AWAITING YOUR URGENT REPLY.
THANKS AND MY REGARDS.
SOLOMON ALEMAYEHU.
WORLD BANK OF EARTH
Holy cow! (Score:2, Funny)
Good work, though
Is this what the editors at Slashdot (Score:4, Funny)
Don't mean to sound like a troll, but are you sure you don't choose stories based on random numbers and a team of trained hansters?
Spam spam spammity spam (Score:2)
Spelling! (Score:2)
* New South Whales (should be Wales - as in the country)
* Incorrect use of capitalisation - earth (should be capitalised), Movie (should not be)
* The place in NSW where the radio telescope is is called Parkes (not Parks) and the movie it appears in is called "The Dish" (not "Dish").
Do we really want these people communicating on our behalf?
Re:Spelling! (Score:2, Funny)
if the alein ppls have evlvd evn futher than us have, theyll probly be speling like this
we have nothing to loose
This won't make much difference... (Score:2)
Re:This won't make much difference... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:This won't make much difference... (Score:2)
Cat: What happen? (Score:3, Funny)
Oh yeah, that's rich (Score:2)
I've Done This Before (Score:2)
Every radio transmission that I make with my garage remote control eventually makes it's way into deep space. I mean, a bunch of those photos have gotta be escaping earth's atmosphere. After that, they're gonna propagate until something stops them and there's not much to stop them in space.
Maybe I could set up a company doing this with a ham radio and charge people for it.
Re:I've Done This Before (Score:2)
I mean, really, just look at these people's web site. They do all they can to come off as a reputable scientific organization and still it makes me laugh. What a way to make a few bucks off of the stupidity of a few people in the general public.
They probably really aren't using anything more than their own wireless router - and it still fits the technical description of the snake oil that they're selling. What a hoot! I wonder what they would say if someone asked to tour their facility?
I can hardly be
like tradition requires (Score:2)
I, for one, welcome our new SpamAssassin overlords.
Spam the galaxy (Score:3, Funny)
I hope this attracts a Vorlon planet killer in response.
Can't wait for the fight (Score:2)
When the Vogons and Vorlons arrive at the same time, there's going to be an interesting fight over which force gets to illuminate this planet-sized spam cannon we live on. However, I have faith. If there is one thing that Earth excels at on a galactic scale, it is our lawyers. We will be able to put off destruction with barages of C&D letters aimed at the Vo***ons who defame us by calling us a malware planet.
April 1st is exactly one month away (Score:2)
How about it, guys? Beam Slashdot into space next? (Score:2)
been there, done that (Score:2)
You know it had to be said.. (Score:2)
Too bad most of it will be from "Rants and Raves" (Score:2)
(Not kidding you - check out the RnR section of just about any Craigslist).
New term (Score:2)
Space Projected Active Marketing. (Score:2)
Just the latest outsourcing strategy.. (Score:2)
Damn those martians (Score:2)
Craiglist: the 1990's called (Score:2)
Seriously - when I hear of a company doing dain-bramaged things like this, I think to myself "Well, there's a company with more money than common sense (or business sense)."
And of course, companies with more money than sense spontaniously decay, via moron emission, into companies with no cash and high debt, which then decay, via bankrupcy, into crap at auction.
What if "they" did that to us? (Score:2)
I don't think NASA should be using their equipment (and my tax dollars) for this sort of thing.
My predictions on the future of this industry (Score:2)
1. Aliens probably have no interest in Viagra or other herbal enchancers.
2. The catchy new name for this will be SPIN (INtergalactic SPAM)
3. Within 10 years, any alien civilization within ad-range will be building up an attack force to shut us up.
4. The FCC will want full regulation of the industry (it's for the space-children. Think of the space-children)
Spamming aliens? What's the point? (Score:2)
sheesh well now (Score:2)
Everyone's a Star (Score:2)
For only $45, I will transmit your ad into deep space, using the same revolutionary light-modulation interstellar broadcast system.
free, not 'for free' (Score:2)
we just ruined our chances (Score:2)
Followed soon by the first intergalactic... (Score:2)
Has to be free (Score:2)
Well, of course it has to be free. Let's see here:
1. Assume an alien civilization with trade goods is 50 light years away.
2.The signal gets there and they immediately decide to buy.
3.They send a signal back to indicate said desire and to order shipment.
4.Shipment is (amazingly) ready to ship immediately upon receipt of signal.
5.Shipment takes trip at
6. 30 days after reciept, payment is sent by return post (.1C).
In all, it's been 1,100 ye
This kind of reminds me of something. (Score:3, Funny)
And I think that if you're going to send out images into space, you best send out a copy of Irfanview, or a JPEG viewer (read their FAQ), because those damn intelligent life forms just may not understand the JPEG file format. (I hear they're into PNG)
I think the only thing that would actually effective would be to send huge banners or posters into space. I'm detaching my Heather Locklear and Motley Crue posters right now. ALl of these signal transmissions will just sound like space noise, but an old picture of Leather Locklear in a cheesy white bathing suit would be a far better way to communicate.
Re:how much did he pay? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:This story is a joke that makes its own gravy. (Score:2)
Just annoy the aliens off those planets so we can colonize them
Re:Starlight part 2? (Score:2)
I think they went out of business once the ink dried on the treaty that concluded the first Man-Kzin War. The Kzinti were tired of being burned by the human's "communication" lasers.