“Technological civilisations are likely to come in as many different forms as living organisms,” he says. “Even if most self-destruct or stay at home, there will always be the exceptions which will come our way.”Another possible explanation for the absence of extraterrestrials in our backyard is the Zoo Hypothesis – that infant civilisations such as ours are left alone by the star-faring civilisations of the galaxy, which obey a Star Trek-like non-interference policy But, according to Tipler, this idea also has its flaw. “It’s a universal truth in the world that if you have three members of a society, you will have three opinions,” says Tipler. “There will inevitably be a diversity of opinion among galactic societies. Some will want to leave us alone, others will not.”Nothing can apparently deflect Tipler from his conviction that we are alone in the galaxy And he goes farther, much farther. For the irresistible logic of exponential expansion implies that if an intelligence race had arisen anywhere in space, it would have arrived in our backyard by now. “We are not only the first intelligence to evolve in our galaxy,” says Tipler, “we are the first intelligence to evolve in the whole universe.”The incredible improbability of such a situation does not worry him in the least “Somebody has to be first,” he says.
“Why not us?”And Tipler is not depressed by the prospect of being alone in the cosmos On the contrary, he is excited by it. “We’re going to be the parents of the universal biosphere,” he says. “It will be our descendants’ privilege to spread and colonise the entire universe”n. Age: Depends on your definitions. Has its roots in several 19th- century institutes for training textile workers. Was Bradford College of Technology until 1966, when it was awarded a university charter Which makes it 31 in its current incarnation.
Address: Bronte country (at a pinch), West Yorkshire.
Ambience: Bradford, formerly Victorian textile capital, now surprisingly cosmopolitan. Unstuffy, friendly campus, five minutes’ walk from city centre. Within day-trip distance of Yorkshire dales, Blackpool and Scarborough. Good news for people who like fresh air and seaside rock.Vital statistics: Extremely positive attitude towards mature students; will consider wide range of qualifications and/or experience for entry.
Has some oddly assorted strengths: these include engineering and management as well as women’s and peace studies.Easy to get into? Yes and no. Not so easy for pharmacy or for Britain’s biggest optometry department, both of which ask for B, B, C. But, like other universities, makes it as easy as possible for engineers. The nationwide shortage of engineers has prompted a foundation-year course for those who lack the requisite A-levels.Added value: Links with industry are reflected in the multitude of sandwich courses Good graduate employment record No courses in drama, music or visual arts. Instead the university employs fellows to promote culture on campus.Glittering alumni: Tony O’Reilly, aka Mr Heinz (major shareholder in The Independent); Labour MPs Alice Mahon, David Hinchliffe and Ann Taylor; and pop poet John Hegley.Transport links: Road and rail interchange within easy walking distance. Handy for the M62 and the M1, and 20 minutes from Leeds-Bradford airport.Buzz-words: FND (the infamous Friday Night Disco); Purple Nasty, and Blastaway (potent student tipples).Who’s the boss? Professor David Johns, 65, aeronautical engineer Expert on sonic boom, thermal stress and wind engineering.
