Martian climate cycles, SETA and establishing a constructive dialogue between humanity and ETI

Welcome! “Alien Life” tracks the latest discoveries and thoughts in the various elements of the famous Drake Equation. You may notice that this and future entries are shorter than usual; Career, family and book deal commitments have forced me to cut back some of my projects. Now, here’s today’s news:
g Abodes - The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is revealing layers of ice-rich deposits near the poles of Mars that can tell us about the planet's recent climate cycles. Data about the Martian climate can yield clues about whether or not life could have once survived on the red planet. See article.
g Imagining - Like stories about alien anthropology and cultures? Then be sure to read Robert Silverberg’s “Downward to the Earth” (1970), in which a colonial administrator tries to do justice to alien culture.
g Aftermath - Here’s a fascinating idea: A group of serious scientists, writers, military leaders and others discussing how to establish a constructive dialogue between humanity and ETI, once contact is made. See article.