The problem is that if life is common in the universe, why have we not detected it? Why have we not seen large-scale technology like Dyson spheres?
One possibility is that we are among the first intelligent agents, at least locally. Since intelligent life could not get started until the basic elements were formed from the first generation of stars, there is an earliest time in the universe when life *could* get started. It may well be that our sun is one of the first stars to have planets with enough of the basic materials for life to form. Again, at least in our galaxy.
Next, maybe life developed rather quickly on Earth and we are one of the first intelligent races. Even if we are a mere 10,000 years ahead of others, that makes a significant difference in our abilities to detect other life. If everywhere else is still at stages like what was on the Earth prior to 200 years ago, then there is no chance we would detect another species given *our* technology.
Yet another is the 'dark forest' possibility: those species that announce their existence are ruthlessly exterminated by the species that already exist. So any species that still exists keeps quite for its own survival. Who knows? Perhaps some teardrop shaped, strong force 'bomb' is already on its way to destroy our sun?
Kudos for whoever gets the reference.
One possibility is that we are among the first intelligent agents, at least locally. Since intelligent life could not get started until the basic elements were formed from the first generation of stars, there is an earliest time in the universe when life *could* get started. It may well be that our sun is one of the first stars to have planets with enough of the basic materials for life to form. Again, at least in our galaxy.
Next, maybe life developed rather quickly on Earth and we are one of the first intelligent races. Even if we are a mere 10,000 years ahead of others, that makes a significant difference in our abilities to detect other life. If everywhere else is still at stages like what was on the Earth prior to 200 years ago, then there is no chance we would detect another species given *our* technology.
Yet another is the 'dark forest' possibility: those species that announce their existence are ruthlessly exterminated by the species that already exist. So any species that still exists keeps quite for its own survival. Who knows? Perhaps some teardrop shaped, strong force 'bomb' is already on its way to destroy our sun?
Kudos for whoever gets the reference.
