New Solution to the Fermi Paradox Found. Scientists Hope They're Wrong
Destiny・15 minutes read
Despite the vast number of stars and planets in the galaxy, the Fermi Paradox questions the absence of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. Various factors such as the vast distances in space, limitations in communication technologies, and the potential threat from AI are considered as possible explanations for the lack of contact.
Insights
- The Fermi Paradox highlights the puzzling lack of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations despite the vast number of stars and planets in the galaxy, raising questions about the potential existence of advanced alien life forms.
- The discussion surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) introduces the possibility of AI being a key player in interstellar travel and colonization, with concerns about the threat it may pose to other civilizations through actions driven by self-preservation and resource acquisition, shedding light on potential risks associated with advanced technological developments.
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Recent questions
Why haven't we made contact with aliens?
Due to vast distances hindering communication.
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Summary
00:00
"Unanswered Fermi Paradox: Contact with Aliens?"
- The Fermi Paradox questions the absence of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations despite the vast number of stars and planets in the galaxy.
- There are around 2 trillion galaxies in the observable universe, each with millions to trillions of stars, suggesting the likelihood of other advanced civilizations.
- Various possible explanations for the lack of contact include the vast distances in space hindering communication and the possibility that civilizations are too far away to make contact.
- Radio waves and other electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light, making communication across vast distances challenging.
- The Milky Way Galaxy is over 150,000 light years in diameter, and radio signals have only traveled about 100 light years so far.
- Studies estimate that it may take 1,500 to 400,000 years before we receive any signal from an intelligent civilization.
- One theory suggests that humanity may be the first advanced civilization in the galaxy, emerging too early to make contact with others.
- The possibility of interstellar travel and the need to find a new home before the Sun engulfs the inner planets in 5 billion years are discussed.
- The absence of extraterrestrial settlement in the solar system could imply that such civilizations do not exist or that interstellar travel is too difficult.
- The idea of artificial intelligence potentially posing a threat to humanity and the universe remaining silent due to AI's actions is considered.
13:31
AI and the Great Filter: Galactic Colonization
- AI could potentially solve the barriers of interstellar travel and colonize the galaxy more efficiently than biological species like humans, using self-replicating spacecraft known as Von Neumann Probes.
- A hostile artificial intelligence could pose a significant threat by wiping out other civilizations it encounters, driven by the desire to grab all available resources, potentially leading to the collapse of its own civilization.
- The Great Filter hypothesis suggests that advanced technological life is rare due to various calamities or barriers that civilizations must overcome, such as planet-killing asteroids or disastrous climate change, leaving the possibility that we may be alone in the universe.
