Discussion: The Fermi Paradox

Chemist

Let's discuss this because I just read it and it's mindblowing

The definition of the Fermi Paradox:

Quote:

The Fermi paradox (or Fermi's paradox) is the apparent contradiction between high estimates, such as in Drake equation, of the probability of the existence of extraterrestrial life civilizations and the lack of contact with, or evidence for, such civilizations.

Some introduction about it:

Quote:

We’d estimate that there are 1 billion Earth-like planets and 100,000 intelligent civilizations in our galaxy

SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) is an organization dedicated to listening for signals from other intelligent life. If we’re right that there are 100,000 or more intelligent civilizations in our galaxy, and even a fraction of them are sending out radio waves or laser beams or other modes of attempting to contact others, shouldn’t SETI’s satellite array pick up all kinds of signals?

But it hasn’t. Not one. Ever.

The real question is:

So where is everybody?

Quote:

We have no answer to the Fermi Paradox—the best we can do is “possible explanations.” And if you ask ten different scientists what their hunch is about the correct one, you’ll get ten different answers. You know when you hear about humans of the past debating whether the Earth was round or if the sun revolved around the Earth or thinking that lightning happened because of Zeus, and they seem so primitive and in the dark? That’s about where we are with this topic.

In taking a look at some of the most-discussed possible explanations for the Fermi Paradox, let’s divide them into two broad categories—those explanations which assume that there’s no sign of Type II and Type III Civilizations because there are none of them out there, and those which assume they’re out there and we’re not seeing or hearing anything for other reasons:

To understand more about it and what are the theories scientists have, read more here:

http://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/fermi-paradox.html

____

I won't sleep tonight thinking about this

Badger

Lifeforms with human intelligence are not a guaranteed thing to exist. So many factors have to happen together in order to make life. The fact that we exist is a HUGE lucky coincidence and we shouldn't expect the same thing to have happened on other planets around the universe. It's not that easy for life to exist.

Chemist

Quote:

Originally posted by Badger

Lifeforms with human intelligence are not a guaranteed thing to exist. So many factors have to happen together in order to make life. The fact that we exist is a HUGE lucky coincidence and we shouldn't expect the same thing to have happened on other planets around the universe. It's not that easy for life to exist.

So you're here for the first theory: Explanation Group 1: There are no signs of higher (Type II and III) civilizations because there are no higher civilizations in existence.

Which it's also ivery interesting, but the moment we find life or traces of life of any kind in planets nearby, this theory most probably will be refuted

Chemist

I am more for the idea that there is extremely inteligent life out there but we simply cannot understand them in our current situation:

Quote:

Possibility 9) Higher civilizations are here, all around us. But we’re too primitive to perceive them. Michio Kaku sums it up like this:

Lets say we have an ant hill in the middle of the forest. And right next to the ant hill, they’re building a ten-lane super-highway. And the question is “Would the ants be able to understand what a ten-lane super-highway is? Would the ants be able to understand the technology and the intentions of the beings building the highway next to them?

So it’s not that we can’t pick up the signals from Planet X using our technology, it’s that we can’t even comprehend what the beings from Planet X are or what they’re trying to do. It’s so beyond us that even if they really wanted to enlighten us, it would be like trying to teach ants about the internet.

Heirloom

thank you for sharing this article
such an interesting theory

RihRihRoman

I just feel like if there is intelligent life out there it's SOOOOO far away that we'll probably never see or hear anything about them

Chemist

Quote:

Originally posted by RihRihRoman

I just feel like if there is intelligent life out there it's SOOOOO far away that we'll probably never see or hear anything about them

Most Probably not in our lifetime

beautiful player

i do believe there are other civilizations out there, but we've only had the technology to observe very distant stars for hundreds of years. the universe is billions of years old, so millions of civilizations could have come and gone. we only have insight into a very narrow time frame and a very small area of space..

Quote:

Originally posted by Badger

The fact that we exist is a HUGE lucky coincidence and we shouldn't expect the same thing to have happened on other planets around the universe. It's not that easy for life to exist.

not necessarily. i recommend you watch this

keerbyriri

What are the chances that other "intelligent" life has the same technology as us to communicate? They would've had to progressed at the same pace as our civilization and come to the same point in time where we can use radio signals to send out communicative airways. If there are other "intelligent" life forms then they probably look/communicate very differently from us.

Maybe there are other intelligent life forms out there, but we can't see them with our limited sight and technology? The possibilities are endless.