Bridging Incommensurability: A Framework for UAP asPlanetary-Scale SETI Engagement

by Courtney Bower

Published online by World Futures (Oct 28, 2025)

This article presents a framework for exploring a hypothetical: Could the challenges of incommensurability between different intelligent extraterrestrial civilizations be bridged through the local production of plasma-based signals? The receiving civilization would initially perceive these attempts at proto-communication as a highly anomalous subset of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). By harnessing universal approaches, these ephemeral atmospheric displays would be designed to engage perception without assuming shared symbols or technological parity. This diverges from the traditional search for extraterrestrial intelligence, relying on plainly observable phenomena rather than specialized detectors. The framework challenges anthropocentric biases and invites interdisciplinary research into UAP as possible indicators of extraterrestrial engagement.

Key words: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI), incommensurability, extraterrestrial, framework

Below is a pre-print version of the article.

Bridging Incommensurability - A Framework for UAP as Planetary-Scale SETI Engagement.pdf

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