What is the Fermi paradox?

The Fermi paradox is a conflict between the argument that scale and probability seem to favor intelligent life being common in the universe, and the total lack of evidence of intelligent life having ever arisen anywhere other than on Earth.

The first aspect of the Fermi paradox is a function of the scale or the large numbers involved: there are an estimated 200–400 billion stars in the Milky Way (2–4 × 1011) and 70 sextillion (7×1022) in the observable universe. Even if intelligent life occurs on only a minuscule percentage of planets around these stars, there might still be a great number of extant civilizations, and if the percentage were high enough it would produce a significant number of extant civilizations in the Milky Way. This assumes the mediocrity principle, by which Earth is a typical planet.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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11 Comments

David Ching

There are two trains of thought. 1. Some extraterrestrial life would be so far behind our date, they would not be able to communicate. 2. Some extraterrestrial life would be so far in front of our date, we would seem to be not worth the trouble. There is another thought in that our 'life' is based upon the carbon atom; others may not be.

Stephen Forest

"Where is everybody?"

Player

Learned about this here. Heard about it on a show yesterday. Here it is today.

✨KRISTA✨

Definitely something to contemplate over a bottle of good wine 🍷! 🤗

Amy Miller

Honestly, I cannot imagine how we would be the only life in the universe, s diverse as the life on this planet is, I also can’t imagine why any intelligent alien species would bother with us.