Free InterstellarNet: Origins by Edward M. Lerner

rotation of our planets. The calculations resemble those with which I am familiar from the design of satellite constellations.
    “Task-force analysts have closely studied ET’s transmitter design. Two observations surprised them. First, ET’s electronics are based not on transistors and integrated circuits, but on vacuum tubes. The second conclusion was more amazing, still. ET does not employ digital computing.”
    At vacuum tubes the gallery had erupted in whispers. At Dean’s second revelation, the murmurs became a roar. US-G Kim glared at the visitors’ gallery. “If necessary, I will clear the room of all staff and invited guests.” He motioned at Dean to continue.
    Dean waited till the whispering faded into the street noise. “I mentioned my background only to make a point. Doppler correction is familiar to me. The geometry can be messy, but the correction is easily programmed into a standard digital computer. Let’s contrast that with ET’s approach. He has a distinct analog control loop for each component of motion: his planet’s orbit, his planet’s rotation, Earth’s rotation, and so on.” More precisely, and of doubtful interest to the diplomats, ET’s transmitter employed coupled feedforward servo controls.
    “ET’s system works, or we would never have heard him. That said, by our standards his approach is extremely cumbersome. Each correction factor is provided by a physically separate circuit, each circuit involving many vacuum tubes. Tubes are inherently less reliable than transistors, and that makes ET’s circuits prone to component failures.”
    Police bullhorns and then a burst of gunfire (warning shots, Dean hoped) drowned out his words. In the momentary lull after the shots he heard sirens. Then the din returned, louder than ever. Ambassadorial scowls multiplied.
    Dean dared to hope Earth First had overplayed its hand.
    Raising his voice, he pushed on. “ET’s most advanced technologies appear to be chemistry and materials science. In these areas ET clearly exceeds human knowledge. But ET does not know what he does not know: solid-state physics. He probably never seriously investigated digital computing. Our pre-transistor computers were unreliable novelties, room-sized monstrosities with less computing capability than in my wristwatch. Digital computing simply isn’t practical without solid-state devices.”
    And the protestors got louder still.
    The supposedly multicultural rally on the streets had but one theme: resistance to change. Some inarticulate remembrance of Dean’s time on the Media committee nagged at him. Charise Ganes’s belligerence was part of the same unrecognized message.
    He took a deep breath. “At this time, I’m privileged to introduce the task force’s recommendation. We should respond to the Lalande message, starting transmission in nineteen days as per ET’s request. We should order technology from ET’s catalogue.
    “But as for payment, we propose to ignore ET’s shopping list. We would instead send introductory instructions in computing and the design of a few simple solid-state devices. We need not offer anything proprietary. Our accompanying catalogue will hint at more advanced device designs and digital algorithms.
    “I would be surprised indeed if ET failed to find these new technologies far more attractive than anything he has requested.”
    ■□■
    In a logical world, the presentation was complete. At the United Nations, the fun had only begun. As Roberto Ramos, the Chilean ambassador, was being recognized, Alex Klein tidied a sheaf of papers to signal a planted question.
    “Dr. Matthews. A point of clarification, please. Does the task force propose that Earth’s trade goods be elementary computing and electronics techniques?”
    “That is our recommendation, Ambassador,” Dean answered.
    “Technology we all,” and here Ramos’s arm sweep encompassed the many nations comprising COPUOS, “have mastered and from which we have moved