The SETI Institute: Denied by Controversy

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The universe, a vast, ever-expanding space full of mystery, just waiting to be discovered. With the mystery comes speculation; a multitude of researchers focus on one question, are there extraterrestrials out there? While highly controversial, scientists with the help of SETI have proved that this is possible. In order to be prepared for the possible ETs, researchers at SETI work constantly to find answers. Because of the growing research that Extraterrestrial Intelligence is possible, SETI, a credible organization, should receive funding from the government to continue their research.
The SETI Institute, a non-profit organization, was founded by Tom Pierson in 1984, beginning its journey through the next twenty years. In the winter of November 1984, Pierson was hard at work trying to launch SETI, a non-profit research organization. After completing overwhelming amounts of paperwork and plenty of planning, he says, “By 2:00 pm the articles were on file and I had a certified copy signed by California Secretary of State, March Fong Eu. The SETI Institute was born!” (Pierson). This was a proud accomplishment for Pierson who dreamed of creating an efficient and cost-effective non-profit research organization. This dream formed from working with other non-profit organizations who wasted money on overhead rates paid to partnering organizations, universities, or businesses. He wanted all the funds to be put towards the institute, its researchers, and what they need. This is the way SETI will be run up until the present day.
Through many major events, including running out of funding that led to shutting down, SETI survives and continues to make waves. The worst thing an organization could imagine is running out of...

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