Fermi Paradox Notecards
.The Fermi Paradox (sciencenotes.org)
A more grounded approach to the Fermi paradox might be the Rare Earth theory. The Rare Earth theory basically states that planets like Earth are just astronomically rare. If everything in the Drake Equation must be true, then that already is enough to show how rare life must be. To me this theory is the most realistic one and is probably the answer to the Fermi paradox.
Figuring Out Whether Aliens Exist: Possible Resolutions to the Fermi Paradox (interestingengineering.com)
A type 0 civilization is the type of civilization that we are right now. A type 0 civilization would be able to harness most of its home planets resources. A type 0 civilization is able to have very rudimentary control of the elements. A type 0 civilization uses non-renewable sources of energy like natural gas and are not capable of interstellar travel.
Figuring Out Whether Aliens Exist: Possible Resolutions to the Fermi Paradox (interestingengineering.com)
A type I civilization is able to have full control over its planets energy and a way to store it. They would be capable of Interstellar travel and would probably have out post on several planets. They would probably use more renewable sources of energy. Another name for these civilizations is Planetary Civilization.
Figuring Out Whether Aliens Exist: Possible Resolutions to the Fermi Paradox (interestingengineering.com)
A type II civilization would be able harness all of its sun's power. These civilizations would harness it through a megastructure such as a Dyson Sphere. They would be in control of most of its solar system. Another name for these is Stellar civilization.
Figuring Out Whether Aliens Exist: Possible Resolutions to the Fermi Paradox (interestingengineering.com)
A type III civilization is capable of controlling its entire galaxy. They would have a large area to store energy (like huge). They would be capable of universal travel meaning that they could leave the galaxy. Another name for them might be galactic civilizations.
The Fermi Paradox (sciencenotes.org)
Civilizations may be short lived and infrequent. This may be for a plethora of reasons, war in whatever form, disease, asteroid impacts, or just dying out. Humanity might be at a time where no other civilizations exist. This somewhat ties in with the great filter theory in that each civilization reaches a point in time where they die.
Figuring Out Whether Aliens Exist: Possible Resolutions to the Fermi Paradox (interestingengineering.com)
How does this connect to the Fermi paradox? If we are looking for alien life, then we need to be aware of this scale. Furthermore, the fact that none of these civilizations has implies that we are missing something big here.
Figuring Out Whether Aliens Exist: Possible Resolutions to the Fermi Paradox (interestingengineering.com)
In 1964 a Soviet astronomer, Nikolai Kardashev created a scale for grouping civilizations together. He created threes types (four technically) of classification, type I, type II, and type III. These types are measured by how much energy that put out per second. Type I: 10^19, type II: 10^33, and type III: 10^44.
The Fermi Paradox (sciencenotes.org)
Life may not be intelligent. There are so many other ways that life could develop. They could be closer to animals, they could be single celled, and they could be non-carbon life forms. On earth we have so many different species and most of them are intelligent. Being intelligent does not have to mean using technology. Being intelligent means basic cognitive function.
The Fermi Paradox (sciencenotes.org)
Michael Hart, an astronomer expanded on the Fermi paradox stating that if alien civilizations are all over the place, then they would have visited us by now. These means that maybe interstellar travel is almost impossible or alien civilizations migt be very rare.
Source:.Fermi paradox | Definition, Resolutions, SETI, & Facts | Britannica
The Drake Equation is: N = R*fpneflfifcL. N stands for number of Intelligent civilizations, R* stands for rate of star formation, fp stands for the fraction of stars with planetary systems,ne Stands the fraction of planets that could potentially support life, fl stands for the fraction of planets that actually develop life, fi The fraction of planets on which intelligent life develops, fc The fraction of worlds where intelligent life develops technology capable a transmitting radio waves, and L the average lifespan of an advanced civilization.
Source: Fermi paradox | Definition, Resolutions, SETI, & Facts | Britannica
The Fermi paradox is an interesting problem in science and the search for extraterrestrials. The problem states that the fact that there is no evidence for intelligent life is strange considering how big the universe is.
Source:.Fermi paradox | Definition, Resolutions, SETI, & Facts | Britannica
The Fermi paradox was created between a conversation with physicists Enrico Fermi, Edward Teller, and Emil Konopinsky in 1950. While at Los Alamos, These Physicists began talking about flying saucers and Fermi asked, "where is everybody?"
.What is the Great Filter, and can we survive it? (earthsky.org)
The Great Filter states that every civilization approaches a point where any mass-extinction event might happen. Think of this like stairs. Every step you take, you come closer to the top. In our case the top is the Great Filter. The Great Filter can be anything from nuclear war to a comet crashing into earth. Maybe the reason we haven't found aliens is because they have already hit the filter.
.'Zoo hypothesis' may explain why we haven't seen any space aliens (nbcnews.com)
The Zoo Hypothesis basically states that humanity is not ready. Imagine how in America, we have nature preserves. We allow these preserves to develop with minimal human contact. Think of the Solar System as one huge nature preserve. Aliens might be allowing us to develop before they make contact with us.
The Fermi Paradox (sciencenotes.org)
There may be vast communication limits across the universe and because off this making contact may be significantly more difficult than previously thought. If this is the reality than it could mean that we would have to greatly develop our communication technology if we wish to make interstellar contact.
Dark Forest theory: A terrifying explanation of why we haven't heard from aliens yet - Big Think
Think of the galaxy as a huge forest. Let's say that every civilization is a predator what do predators do when they see prey? They attack. In our case, alien civilizations may not make contact out of fear of annihilation. Maybe the best decision might be to stop trying to make contact.
Source:.Fermi paradox | Definition, Resolutions, SETI, & Facts | Britannica
While calculating, Fermi took into account the Drake Equation. (Not to be confused with Canadian singer-songwriter Drake) The Drake Equation is an equation that states the things that must happen for humanity to make contact with another intelligent civilization.
Fermi paradox | Definition, Resolutions, SETI, & Facts | Britannica
While there are many different answers to the Great Silence (another term for the Fermi paradox), I would be here all day trying to explain all of them. So instead, I will highlight some of the ones I find interesting.
