The search for intelligence beyond Earth has long entranced humans. According to Jon Gertner, a regular contributor to The New York Times Magazine, this search has been defined “by an assumption that extraterrestrials would have developed radio technologies akin to what humans have created.”However, Mr. Gertner writes, “rather than looking for direct calls to Earth, telescopes now sweep the sky, searching billions of frequencies simultaneously, for electronic signals whose origins can’t be explained by celestial phenomena.”What scientists are most excited about is the prospect of other planets’ civilizations being able to create the same “telltale chemical and electromagnetic signs,” or, as they are now called, “technosignatures.”This story was written by Jon Gertner and recorded by Audm. To hear more audio stories from publications like The New York Times, download Audm for iPhone or Android. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Jon Gertner, an author exploring innovation history, is joined by Jimmy Soni, who focuses on technology and biography. They delve into the transformative environment of Bell Labs and ponder if its unique culture can be replicated today. The discussion highlights Claude Shannon's groundbreaking contributions and how he might react to modern AI, especially ChatGPT. They also reflect on the significance of pursuing meaningful work and the delicate balance between independent creativity and structured projects in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.