... University physicist Alan Cromer calls it "the space-age version of communicating with God," but adds that it is "garbled at best." To date, alas, there has been no response from the beyond. Commenting on this attempt at communication with the universe, author David Yount says, "The quest for a conversation with the universe is nothing new. The first man and woman on earth, finding themselves possessed of reason and curiosity, looked to the heavens in wonder for an answer to their predicament: Why am I here ...