The deplorable state of television programming proves that no advanced extraterrestrial civilizations exist in Earth's immediate vicinity, British writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke recently told a United Nations forum.
Clarke, speaking by live satellite broadcast from Sri Lanka, where he resides, praised technological advances in television imaging but blasted programmers for creating a "great wasteland."
He cited "brutality and sheer ugliness" as the underlying culprits for clogging U.S. channels in particular with "moronic panel shows, endless traffic and weather reports, interviews with victims of petty crimes, ranting televangelists all selling different brands of salvation, and fashion shows parading half-starved models in hideous costumes."
Somewhat facetiously, he went on to note that since television signals continue to radiate outward from the Earth at the speed of light, our televised legacy now fills a sphere more than 100 light-years in diameter. Since no alien police force has yet arrived to put an end to the nuisance, this proves that no advanced civilization occupies that vast region, he said.
Clarke especially deplored the state of programming aimed at children.
Still, despite the medium's cultural failures, he praised it for unifying global cultures without destroying diversity. In fact, he said, "perhaps only television could preserve the multitudinous images and voices of our time for future ages."
Clarke is famous as the author of books including 2001: A Space Odyssey and as the originator of the communications satellite. He made his comments November 15 as part of the concluding session of the United Nations' 1999 World Television Forum.
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