Why would the E.T. use binary code or English as ASCII code instead of plain English?
1. Why did WE send the Arecibo message in binary code? It is not just because the receivers would not understand English, but because a binary sequence is simple to transmit, as it is just a series of 1’s and 0’s (or two different pulses). A binary sequence may also be more practical to “transmit” into a crop field. Imagine how much space a 151 character English message would take in crop as plain letters. Considering the resolution of the crop, one character would have to be about one meter wide to be clearly distinguished. Whether applied as linear text or as a spiral, this would take more space and more work than a spiral binary code (in this case about 40 m in diameter). 2. ASCII code actually IS plain English. To understand the message you have to be familiar with computer technology, but if you are, ASCII is the most obvious way to binary code English. 3. This way the aliens may want to inform they are familiar both with our most commonly used international language, its digital
