Submitted by Mighty-Lobster t3_11hmpjz in space
A recent post got a lot of attention. Unfortunately the Fermi Paradox is one of those topics (alongside dark matter, black holes, etc) that invite an incredible amount of bikeshed discussion.
Without stating my own opinion on the Fermi Paradox, I wanted to clarify a common misconception, which was unfortunately present in that post: The Fermi Paradox does not depend on SETI or radio telescopes. Based on what we know of astronomy and life, aliens should have already conquered the entire galaxy and they should have been right here on Earth before humans even evolved. Forget radio astronomy, forget the "Wow" signal, and forget SETI funding. Instead ask yourself why aliens are not literally right here on Earth right now.
If you just figure out why aliens are not right here on Earth right now, you will essentially have solved the Fermi paradox.
- You think maybe planets with life are rare? --- See the Rare Earth Hypothesis.
- You think aliens don't develop technology? Or don't last long? --- See the Great Filter.
- You think aliens don't travel? --- None of them travel? Out of potentially millions of species? You have to either postulate that nobody wants to travel, or something prevents them. The first option is implausible and the latter is the Great Filter again.