The Fermi Paradox
This question highlights the contradiction between the size of the universe and the lack of alien evidence.
What is the Fermi Paradox?
This equation estimates the number of communicating civilizations in the Milky Way.
What is the Drake Equation?
This hypothesis says intelligent life is extremely rare.
What is the Rare Earth Hypothesis?
These objects were once mistaken for alien signals.
What are pulsars?
This idea suggests humanity may be among the first intelligent civilizations.
What does “we are early” mean?
The famous question Enrico Fermi asked that summarizes the paradox.
What is “Where is everybody?”
This variable represents how long civilizations release detectable signals.
What is the average lifetime of a civilization (L)?
This explanation suggests a major barrier prevents most civilizations from advancing.
What is the Great Filter?
These brief, powerful radio signals come from distant galaxies.
What are Fast Radio Bursts?
This explanation implies humanity could face extinction.
What is the Great Filter ahead of us?
This makes the lack of alien contact surprising.
What is the vast number of stars and planets in the galaxy?
This part of the equation is the most uncertain and debated.
What is the survival time of civilizations?
This hypothesis suggests advanced civilizations choose not to contact us.
What is the Zoo Hypothesis?
This type of signal would strongly suggest intelligent origin.
What is a mathematical or structured message?
This scientific project searches for extraterrestrial signals.
What is SETI?
This term describes a situation where expectations and observations conflict.
What is a paradox?
This factor asks how often life begins on habitable planets.
What is the probability that life forms?
This explanation says civilizations tend to destroy themselves.
What are short-lived civilizations?
This star’s strange dimming once led to alien megastructure theories.
What is Tabby’s Star?
This idea suggests advanced civilizations avoid interfering with others.
What is non-interference?
The Fermi Paradox deals specifically with this type of life.
What is intelligent extraterrestrial life?
Even with large values, this equation cannot guarantee contact because of this issue.
What is civilizations not overlapping in time or space?
This explanation suggests alien technology may be undetectable to us.
What is “we are looking the wrong way”?
Scientists must eliminate these before claiming alien contact.
What are natural explanations?
The Fermi Paradox forces us to think about this long-term issue.
What is the survival of humanity as a civilization?