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Abstract: Altruism has previously been proposed as a topic for interstellar communication, because it begins to describe one important class of human and non-human behaviors, and because it can be modeled in mathematical and physical terms. Prior research has focused on altruism toward close relatives. The current paper explains how we could communicate basic principles of reciprocal altruism, in which one entity undergoes short-term self-sacrifice for the benefit of another, as well as for long-term self-interest. After providing an algorithmic description of the loss of mass involved in the evolution of stars—a phenomenon that should be familiar to extraterrestrial astronomers—an analogous process is described at a human scale, where the maintenance or loss of mass represents the maintenance or loss of health, and ultimately life. An adaptation of the Prisoner''s Dilemma game is communicated, showing limitations of both cooperation and defection as strategies for interacting with other agents. For the overall stability of a population, there are significant advantages for entities not always either cooperating or defecting in their responses; we end by modeling a more flexible strategy discussed by game theorists, known as Tit For Tat. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Contemporary narratology (narrative theory) offers a useful framework for interpreting interstellar messages that have already been sent to potential extraterrestrial recipients, as well as for designing messages that may be transmitted in the future. In this paper, narratological concepts are used to analyze in depth a single interstellar message sequence, elucidating methods by which various parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs) can be paired with pictures to describe the human body in motion. The concept of focalization is applied to the message sequence''s use of isolation and magnification, which highlight the structure and function of the human body and its constituent parts. The challenges of interpreting gaps within narratives, as well as the setting in which events occur, are considered. The importance of closure in providing a fitting end to narratives is examined, and the plausibility of creating images that could be interpreted correctly by extraterrestrial intelligence is assessed. Narratological concepts examined here, as well as additional aspects of narrative, provide important resources for future work in interpreting and designing interstellar messages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previous discussions of interstellar messages that could be sent to extraterrestrial intelligence have focused on descriptions of mathematics, science, and aspects of human culture and civilization. Although some of these depictions of humanity have implicitly referred to our aspirations, this has not clearly been separated from descriptions of our actions and attitudes as they are. In this paper, a methodology is developed for constructing interstellar messages that convey information about our aspirations by developing a taxonomy of maxims that provide guidance for living. Sixty-six maxims providing guidance for living were judged for degree of similarity to each of other. Quantitative measures of the degree of similarity between all pairs of maxims were derived by aggregating similarity judgments across individual participants. These composite similarity ratings were subjected to a cluster analysis, which yielded a taxonomy that highlights perceived interrelationships between individual maxims and that identifies major classes of maxims. Such maxims can be encoded in interstellar messages through three-dimensional animation sequences conveying narratives that highlight interactions between individuals. In addition, verbal descriptions of these interactions in Basic English can be combined with these pictorial sequences to increase intelligibility. Online projects to collect messages such as the SETI Institute''s Earth Speaks and La Tierra Habla, can be used to solicit maxims from participants around the world. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]