Quantum communication and SETI

It's conceivable that radio signals may not be the preferred form of communication for ETI's. Rather, quantum communication may be where it's at for linking up interstellar chat rooms.

There may be a number of reasons for this.

First, radio signals betray location. For those civs who are paranoid enough, or for those who don't want to "shout in the jungle," the anonymity of quantum communication may be desirable.

Second, it may be a more elegant and advanced form of instantaneous communication that takes non-locality into account.

Consequently, SETI may be barking up the wrong tree by listening for radio signals. At some point, when our quantum communication technology matures (see Quantum Communication Moves Into the Unknown by Deutsch and Ekert), perhaps we'll know how to listen for ET's signal.

Fore more, read Seth Shostak's article from 2003.

Tags: Fermi Paradox, Life on Other Planets, Astrobiology, SETI, quantum communication.