“If intelligent life exists elsewhere in our galaxy, advances in computer processing power and radio telescope technology will ensure we detect their transmissions within two decades. That is the bold prediction from a leading light at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute in Mountain View, California.” From New Scientist.

Constantine Cavafy wrote this in 1904. It was one of Edward W. Said’s favorite poems, and was read beautifully at his funeral by his daughter, Najla, which is where I first heard it. In this time of daily terror alerts and fear-mongering, it seems we are all still “Waiting for the Barbarians“.