If the universe population is zero, then how is it that we are here? That makes us...people of Earth...a populated planet...with a population. And it would be quit vain of us to think that Earth is the onlyt planet in the entire galaxy that is able to carry life forms.

As always, prove it. The discussions about very large or very small chances are quite meaningless. A very big number doesn't prove anything nor does a very small one. The number of people in the universe is not zero. There are 6 or 7 billion of us here on earth. If we divide this number of people by the size of the universe we get a very very small number, NOT zero.

Likewise, the large number of stars doesn't prove anything either. The chances of life like us emerging here on Earth are also incredibly small. It took half the entire life of our sun (ergo planet) for us to get here. (The sun is about half way through its main sequence stage.) If the chances were only a bit smaller, we might not have got here either.

It is possible life exists elsewhere but it is also possible it doesn't.

Thats acturally a good question, although scientists have tried to proof there is life on other plants, such as that photograph of a face on the planet Mars - which alot of people believe to be a fake, it is hard to proof such a thing.

Personally, I think its abit weird to think we are the only living planet, I think there are other planets somewhere, which just haven't been found, like someone said, our space transport is to slow to travel the whole universe looking.

Although, I am a believer of UFO's and Aliens on other planets.

I wasn't saying that the population of the universe was zero...someone else was. So yea, I agree with your statement. I also think that in the wide universe there is ATLEAST ONE other planet that has a humanistic life form inhabiting it. But, yes, we have no actual proof. Maybe some day we will. I don't know what I would do if I was alive when they came out witht his technology. That would be so ravishing.

The idea that the population of the Universe is zero came from "Life, the Universe and Everything". It actually says if you divide the number of people by the size of the Universe you get a number so incredibly small it is nothing at all or words to that effect. It is one of my favourite TV series.

There is no emirical proof of extraterrestrial life but there is no proof against it either. There are many facts that favor life and still some who think the earth is the center of the universe. The milkyway has billions of stars and the closest system to ours being alpha cenauri b which is about 4.5 light years away. It might have a rocky earthlike planet in it's habitable zone although we will not visit it unless we find a way to travel faster than the medium ( "warp" speed ). I believe the purpose of the universe is to support life. It's not based on religion but logic. Our solar system can not be that exceptional and I think it is likely that many stars favor similar solar system designs with terestrial planets closest and gas giants orbiting the outer solar systems. Terrestrial palnets therefore are likely to occupy habitibal zones. Water is ubundant in our system and likely in others as well so that means terrestrial planet occupying areas in habitable zones in other sytems could likey have liquid water. And if so, the galaxy is teeming with life.

All these arguments about big numbers and chances are still quite meaningless. Sure there are lots of stars in our galaxy. Sure there are countless galaxies and if you multiply by the number of stars in them you get a big, huge, massive, gigantic number. So what? That number is still small compared to the number of electrons in the universe.

I would love to know there is life somewhere else but I don't and neither do you. Point all the telescopes and radio dishes at the sky you want and look for it if you like. If you find it I would love to know about it.

In the meantime, I suggest a few people do a course in probability and statistics. It is a most interesting and challenging branch of Mathematics.

We know that the speed of light in our universe is a constant.Therefore,light from distant stars take a lot of time in reaching us.So,we see stars which have become extinct since long .what we watch or observe -is therefore a snapshot of a older universe,a distant past-when we study our sky.Similarly, from some very distant stars or planets ,our planet will also have a snapshot of our distant past.Say in some very distant planets,there exists intelligent life forms.If they study our planet,they may find us in our primitive state-maybe in stone age or something-or even the distance might be so long that to them there might be no existence of our planet.Light from time before earth was created ever might have been reaching them till now.Same case might have been happening to us.........and thats why we are not being able to find other life forms.There fore due to difference in time along space.......science would never be able to find prove to the exisence of extra terrestrial life forms(even though i believe that they exist!)

It's not about mathematics. There is no mathamatic formula known to predict the likelyhood of ET life. Look at it this way...are the componants of our solar system unique to our system alone or not? If yes then chances of ET life are slim. If not then the universe is made for life to exist. It's simple logic. From what can be observed currently the galaxy is mad up of pretty much the same stuff over "there" as it is here.

Hi euc,

I would like to point out that the language of mathematics is only a simple tool, like written language, that we use to describe the universe and, on a smaller scale, the world around us. There is truth beyond the equations just as there is meaning beyond what is written.

While I understand the logical thought processes you are employing here, there are flaws in it through which the world seems to be slipping past you.
There are many mysteries about how life started on this planet, many complexities that, when viewed through logic and empirical glass, seem impossible to duplicate even given the very large numbers and very small numbers. I can see why you seem to think life elsewhere is not likely, to say the least. You want proof. I get it.

I have no proof but I do have faith, that is the difference.

Let me offer you this, if the world around us,if our lives and our great works are all reduced to numbers, if all the terrible beauty of the human mind is nothing more than neurons firing, nothing more than the results of chemical processes that began in some ancient frozen sea...

then why do we look to the sky and hope "they" are out there looking back?
what chemical process, what mathematical equation accounts for the yearning?

this thread is one of the longest I read. It is full of hope and longing and imagination. People positing here don't yell and call each other names. THey are all looking to the stars and asking
"are you there?" "does anyone hear me?"

I find this beautiful beyond words. I find this significant. I believe this is what you're missing.
It's not about the numbers, the impossibility, the vast distances,it's about the looking up and hoping.

my answer to "is there life out there?" is: YES and they are looking up and wondering where we are too

life is more than the sum of it's parts, my friend. it's unquantifiable

Dawn

I think you are missing my point entirely. I have never denied there might be life elsewhere in the Universe. I would like to think these is. I have simply been arguing against the numbers thing right from the start. If you check back you will see all I have said is large numbers don't prove a thing.

It is others before me who have used large and small numbers to prove there is life in the universe and, of course, they do no such thing.

On the one hand, people are using large numbers to prove life exists elsewhere in the universe. On the other hand I am accused of using mathematics to show there isn't (which I have never done).

GET YOUR STORY STRAIGHT. I have never said there WAS or WASN'T life elsewhere. All I have said is you don't know, which you don't. You might believe there is but this is not the same thing as knowing.

As well as a course in mathematics, perhaps the occasional use of a dictionary or thesaurus might be a good idea.

Hey euc1, what's the deal with ending your posts with a generalized insult?

Euc1

does your name refer to Euclid's first postulate?

does that sum up your personality and knowledge level?


which word or words in my post did you find used or spelled incorrectly?

what mathematical equation did I misquote...what theorem did I not understand?

if you want to trade insults, I'm well equipped....

Dawn

In the bible it said God is the Universal God and besides this planet earth is extremely small so why would anyone think this is the only planet where life is

Is there anyone here who specializes in astronomy or astrophysics? I have questions regarding galactic structure and cosmic radiation.

Anyone?

Dawn

No way!! Everything that exists has reason to being as it is or as it was or as it is becoming...

Ahem. on the contrary, human beings ARE special. Why? Because we have assumptions that life exists outside of this world. And that is of significance b'coz they may just as much be thinkin' the same stuff.
Mum's right.

At present we don't have any evidence or planet alike earth so we just make an assumption that possibility of life in another galaxy's planet.

There is a planet called ( Gliese 581 d )It has potential to have qualities like Earth because it is in what astronomists call a " Habital Zone"
If this planet has Earthlike qualities than obviously there are more planets alike, making Life elsewhere very possible. The only problem is getting in contact with intelligent life. * that is of course if we have not already came in contact*

Bringing God* into this topic, the Vatican stated intellgent life is extremley possible. Priests working in the Vatican observatory said " Why would God create a universe full of many things and only have us with intellegence?, it would be a waste of energy if humans were to be the only intellegent creatures living in his universe"

Now that's a great question. Then how did we just happen to find it- consider the odds yes we have a populous little planet, but most of the potential landing spots would have been way out of our view lets see 75% water + barren land + mountains - but, then again I guess science is about long shots some times - still seems like it may be a timly release more then a discovery. I am currious how did it really arrive on our little home planet? Have we been busy visiting our neighbor already - It surly WOULD NOT surprise me but it would get me jumping out of my chair - how cool would that be be. -- Well I guess I watch too much sf but I don't think so.

Ahhhh - Yes vanity. We must be talking about our current state as a species. Vanity the most important aspect of being human & self centric. Vanity that wich enables humans to kill other humans for resources or less. Seems interesting that many have not discovered a new application of the old but, profound truth -- united we stand divided we fall. Maybe with our current social struggles we will at the end of the day take yet another step from immature species, toward an adolecent species. We did get a little wake up call when the poor area's of China were not able to get sars under control because it was just those poor people in China -- Then the inter connectedness of our human species global community began it's what I believe to be progress toward the concept of united we stand, divided well you know.

Well said cherish09
If the universe population is zero, then how is it that we are here?

Simple immature human vanity for today, a ubiquitous
phenomenon

I am convinced that there is intelligent life on other planets. and the gov is hiding everything. PLEASE WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!! what are those lights in the sky traveling at incredible speed? there here and they're among us. if you dont belive me search for "UFO documentary revealed by government. Wake up. they're watching us

Well im only 13 and i think i may have figured it out. We are the only one planet in our solar system which so far as we know has life, and there are infinite amount of solar systems, galaxies, etc. so therictly there should be infinite X 1 amount of life. as our technolligy currently only allows us to travel really only to the moon at the moment means we shall not be able to explore the vast amount of space. however that infinite amount of life means that one of those inhabited planets could have discoverd space travel, of course we could also put in the fact that we may be the most advanced race (although i higly doubt it).

And we may inhabite a uninhabited world and create life, therefore being to us humans on earth, Aliens.

That's EXACTLY what I've been saying. Thank you JOWakefield :)

My theory is a little twisted though. I think that the Earth has ended and begun a thousand times over and the people before(humans...yes, humans) either died off because they were not intelligent enough to develope the technology that we now have, or; they DID get intelligent enough to make equipment to travel in distant galaxies and found a planet of which is able to support life. So, when the world got corrupt and was unstable they simply moved all the people we need(doctors,scientists,ect.) to the distant planet and left the others, who weren't lucky enough, to die. I beleive that the people who were able to highten their technology standerds are now just trying to warn us of what happened to them. Hence crop circles, UFO's ect.

Cherish

Hi Extraterrestrial life,
I am a proffesser from Liverpool University and i have been doing research and experiments with my fellow scientist collegues - Teegan Willkool.
We found that there could belife on planets other than earth - many people say there are aliens but really we all dont know.
These other species will be extremely different to humans because they are living in extreme conditions that no human would be able to survive. This is an amazing topic to study and research as there is so much to wonder and find out. Over the next 3 years we will carry on researching this huge question that man people would like to know. Thank you for reading my post. Any questions contact me on, jimmay@liverpooluni.co.uk.
Thanks all.

I know there is life on other planets but we could be more advanced then they are or u could be right.if aliens are alive then we probabley would of got them by now.

Area 50 is where they test air planes. but eveyone nows that they are hiding somthing bigger then that. maybe aliens.

I don't know if any aliens live permanently on our planets, but the astronauts have seen them hanging around the moon, when they were up in space. Where they are from and how they got this far is a mystery to us. However, there is plenty of evidence that they do visit us and other planets. I know it is a definite yes. Obviously if there is any threat out there, some of these aliens are protecting us. In history there out written records of war in space, but much of this is learned from many so called abductions.
There are many flying saucers in the background of many very ancient paintings!

a reply to cherish09

Good theroy, but you have to wonder what happened to their civilization. their buildings, their history, some of it must still surive. although the lost city of atlantis may be a start.

Ufo's in the background on ancient paintings is not a theory. You can observe the paintings as fact. and it is a fact that many astronauts have seen visitors while in space. All evidence that we see of extraterrestrials are not theories but convincing fact.

Yet it is such a shame that the governments will always lie to its people,.

Who is talking about government. we are talking history.

Ikr.some scientist make claims that we are the only ones.I know we aint.(plz excuse my southern language i am southern srry:/) i am a believer. I know that there is other life but they may not look like the description of what most people have discribed them.They could be intelligent humans and they could be intelligent animals.We never know what to expect. This universe holds secrets so easy to find that scientist may not be able to figure out as fast as most others. The stakes of finding more life is very high. Billions of chances are in existance as we speak.

Some people don't believe it. Scientist were to ignorant to consider the chances of life being on other planets. Now they are just figuring it out.

Yes in another dimension! they (E.T.) knew the secret passage in the universe where they can pass through in short period of time as they travel in the outer space!last night i heard the sound of flying object travelling at sonic speed.it stopped for a second and zooooom again!

I have always wondered that myself. I think that if we developed a technology to enable us to live on other planets, I would.

Mike Treder of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies suggests that since there is, at this point, no direct and/or widely apparent evidence that extraterrestrial life exists, it likely means one of the following:

We are (A) the first intelligent beings ever to become capable of making our presence known, and leaving our planet. At this point, there are no other life forms out there as advanced as us. Or perhaps extraterrestrial life does exists, but for some reason extraterrestrial life is so very rare and so very far away we’ll never make contact anyway—making extraterrestrial life nonexistent in a practical sense at least.

Or is it (B) that many advanced civilizations have existed before us, but without exception, they have for some unknown reason, existed and/or expanded in such a way that they are completely undetectable by our instruments.

Or is it (C) There have been others, but they have all run into some sort of “cosmic roadblock” that eventually destroys them, or at least prevents their expansion beyond a small area.

Then ancients once believed that Earth was the center of the universe. We now know that Earth isn’t even at the center of the Solar System. The Solar System is not at the center of our galaxy, and our galaxy is not in any special position in contrast to the rest of the known universe. From a scientific viewpoint, there is no apparent reason to believe that Earth enjoys some privileged status.

Since Earth’s placement in space and time appears to be unremarkably random, proposition “A” seems fairly unlikely. Assuming humans evolved like other forms of life into our present state due to natural selection, then there's really nothing all that mystical, special or remarkable about our development as a species either. Due to the shear numbers, there are almost certainly other planets capable of supporting at least some form of life. If that is so, then for Earthlings to be the very first species ever to make a noticeable mark on the universe, from a statistical perspective, is incredibly unlikely.

For proposition “B” to be correct would defy all logic. If potentially thousands, or even millions of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations exist in the known universe, then why would all of them, without exception, choose to expand or exist in such a way that they are completely undetectable? It’s conceivable that some might, or perhaps even the majority, but for all of them to be completely undetectable civilizations does not seem likely either.

> Proposition C, according to Treder, appears to be more likely than A or B. If “survival of the fittest” follows similar pathways on other worlds, then our own “civilized” nature could be somewhat typical of extraterrestrial civilizations that have, or do, exist. Somehow, we all get to the point where we end up killing ourselves in a natural course of technological development and thereby self-inflict our own “cosmic roadblock”.

“Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the Fermi Paradox is what it suggests for the future of our human civilization. Namely, that we have no future beyond earthly confinement and, quite possibly, extinction. Could advanced nanotechnology play a role in preventing that extinction? Or, more darkly, is it destined to be instrumental in carrying out humanity's unavoidable death sentence?” wonders Mike Treder, executive director of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN).

There are so many replies to everyone else's comments that I didn't take the time to read them all. I will, maybe.

So if I repeat something that has already been said I am sorry, but this does seem like a good place to leave my thoughts, right or wrong.

So the question is "is there life on other planets". It is sad to think that such a beautiful and complicated and large universe contains just us. When at first we thought we were the centre of the universe, to only slowly now conceive that we are almost meaningless in the grand scale of things can only be proof that there must be, so therefore there is. Argue later please.

So if this is so, then we are all asking where's the proof. A little hello wouldn't go a miss. Hey neighbour hows it goin, or something along those lines.

So to answer this new question we have to look at ourselves. We are humans, on Earth. We walk, talk, eat, think and generally do human things. To us life couldn't exist without the basics, water, oxygen and all the components that makes us and our world possible. So to us it might not even seem possible that other "life" in the universe might comprise of something completely different. Just as fish, or even bacteria don't talk or use facebook like we do doesn't mean they don't exist. So why should other life forms need oxygen or even any similar components that we are made up of at all to exist. Could there be intelligent life found in objects that could appear inanimate or fluid based or even just energy. If any of this is true, do they need to talk to us at all.

Or the other side of this could be that other life. Intelligent beings with technology similar to ourselves are just placed so far away that none of our technology can really detect them, because lets face it, we are not that advanced. Do we know the exact composition of planets in other solar systems yet! NO, so how the hell are we supposed to detect beings living on the other side of the universe, when we can't even see past the curtains.

If there are alien crafts there, and proof of alien life, which I think there is, they know that some people couldn't handle the truth of that. It would mean that there is a superior civilization to us, and we could never admit we aren't superior. A lot of truths would be destroyed. Many religious people would be devastated that God created another civilization out there. A few years ago, there was a theory that the reason movies like Independence day, and more recently District 9 are made is that the government knows these events are inevitable, contact and such, so they encourage films to depict the event, so that we are ready for it and used to the idea. I wouldn't go so far as to say I agree completely with that, but I know from talking to my own family, they are extremely religious, fanatically so, they couldn't handle the reality of alien life. Many others couldn't.

There is billions of planets and many like ours with a sun that could support life so we would be ignorant to assume there is nothing it may not be as evolved as us but there may be bacteria or atoms somewere out there

OffCourse !life is there in another planet.Not like the one which these move maker shows.Yes,Life is there..........

You are crazy peter..I am quite sure it's possible to have life on other planets. I doubt that it's like star trek with humanoid lifeforms as aliens,
but I'm quite sure there has to be at least a basic virus or bacteria-like creature somewhere out there.
By the way I found a website that give you prizes for your opinions here is the topic about this:
http://opinion.ezwingame.com/topics/do-you-believe-that-there-is-life-in-other-planets

Have you seen a flying saucer or is what u believe a flying saucer to be just based off of a previous culture's depiction of something unkown to us in this day?

My own personal beliefs are irrelavent as it would just be a theory to others. But one I haven't yet heard in this thread... Has anyone considered that in this universe we are the first life to evolve from the nothingness that began supposedly14 billion years ago? The conditions for life in this universe (or galaxy) may have just come fairly recently with the birth of life on this planet being one of the first or occuring rather simuntaneously with other life in the known universe.
Except of course for robots and other inorganic life.

People in history well known to be saints have written about flying saucers and many paintings in history show flying saucers in the background. I hardly call this science fiction. There are plenty of evidence from philosophers and the common man writing about aliens. Even paintings in caves. No, I do not believe that we evolved from nothing. If there was such a thing as evolution-we would evolve into something worse not better. We are well designed, plant life is well designed, animals are well designed. the four seasons continue. gravity remains constant. Yes, there is a designer.

Well Modern Science still in toddler level consider the space activities though they got huge developed on Earth so it's not possible to tell there are ,but there is an equation which calculates the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible that's represented by N it means intelligence species like us.

that's originally devised by Frank Drank in 1961 and called Drake Equation but that needs lot of information inorder to get the correct answer cause it goes a*a*a*a all consist multiplication if any of factor got 0 number the rest of answer would be 0 as well,so each factor should be 0< inorder to get the 0< answer.!

NASA or another organization or government still couldn't find any planet got any species till now (2010/06/24)

but according to Buddhism
the Buddha said the founder of Buddism,
"in our Milky Way galaxy there are 3,000 planets that have beings."

it means at least there should be at least 0< number of species who are more or less intelligence than us.

obviously just think about humans ,how they originated on Earth likewise there should be other species like us on other planets example the newly found planet named
Glices 581 C both in habitable zone to carry lifes but some says though it's in habitable zone therefore the green effect the temperature in water boiling state but now scientist found the next farthest planet which is named Glices 581 D it's far away from habitable zone consider the temperature they said it's a very coldest planet but now if there is Green Effect then temperature might be 0 Celsius < it means there are maybe beings ,the best example compare with that is Earth if there is no Green Effect in Earth ,Earth's temperature may be -18C which is obviously not good for organisms.

I believe there should be at least 10> intelligence species on extrasolar planets ,they may keep their eye on Earth-clans but ,maybe they know Humans are still in nooby stage to reach them so they won't interfere with us unless we attack them,most of people think if there are Alliance why they don't reach us ,that's what Humans think but does that mean every species think likewise.?? no they won't if there is a reason to reach us they will unless just ignore us as ignorance ,

but probably to travel other extrasolar planets we need to exceed the light speed barrier,it's can't ,consider the Einstein's theory of relativity,he said if objects which consist mass exceed the speed of light its mass also reaches the unlimited amount to accelerate it needs unlimited amount of energy it's not possible on objects which at least got some Mass,but he didn't refuse it's completely possible for other things like electromagnetic waves so any object can't exceed the speed of light as long as that object consist some amount of Mass ,obviously it got ,but if somehow Humans can make something that speed independent from Mass then it's possible or at least we can try Wrap something around or go through a Wormhall by creating a virtual Wormhall ,then it any object will exceed the speed of light or more.

but obviously we can't reach more farthest planets in our galaxy even we go speed of light cause the length is still big ,it needs considerable speed 100*C to travel more effectively and in less time but careful if u hit something in space even in small rock it will go through your space ship from one side to other side ,so Scientists need think about every aspect before travel to Extrasolar planets.

maybe in 2100< it may possible not now cause Humans need to argue with stupid politicians,and have more internal troubles like starvation,Aids,wars,crimes, and lot of troubles to solve than reach and colonize on other planets.!

but remember it's a big benefit cause you can extract lot of valuable resources from other planets,like Gases from gas planets and diamonds,golds,platinum,uranium,and lot of recourse there are lot .!! and found other intelligence species and live with them happily ,I am not talking about movies or games so just ignore that I meant the real state

there are other intelligence species we just need to develop our technology to reach them then they will communicate with us unless no cause why they communicate with lesser intelligence species .??infact there is no reason to capture our planet having there are lot of habitable planets in our galaxy can capture and colonize easily ,and also due to their higher technological knowledge they may think why would they need our technology
it likes well skilled Professors get lectured from 1st year old of child who still can't recognize basic science theories.

if we are capable of reaching other planets in our galaxy then I am pretty sure someday we can found more than dozen of well intelligence species like us or even more ,u can consider it as a prophecy if u like ;)

Of course there is. There's air on earth, and air on a moon in Jupiter. There are billions of planets in our galexy and billions of galexies like ours. Three things that a planet needs to have life is water, air, and warmth(light). There was traces of water in mars. I am certain that there is life on other planets. Maybe those creatures don't need air or water or light. If plants take carbon dioxide, why can't other living things take something else? Outer space is massive. Scientists can't go very far into space at this time. It may be possible to go into other universes in the future.
If you are wondering if there are life in our Solar System somewhere out of earth, sorry. There is no signs of life out there that scientists have found yet.

i think there is life on other planets cause there cant be just one race there must be others out there cause who would we fight against later on in life hopefully we could get a visit from them aswell

Whoever is asking you for proof. I want to respond, everytime we have photographs or scientific evidence the skeptics still will not believe it- and since they choose to be so stubborn they will never accept any scientific evidence and they will never accept any photograph because their minds are already made up.

There is zero, I repeat ZERO proof of any life outside our solar system. I am not saying that there isn't life but as of yet there is no proof. You speak of photographs. There is no UFO photo that has not been edited or dis proven! I didn't mean to single you out but you should verify facts. And if there was ever proof of extraterrestrial life, trust me, you would hear about it. It would go down in history as one of the greatest discoveries of man and change the way we see the universe. And no, there is no government conspiracy keeping these "discoveries" under raps.

I posted this earlier. It has some very interesting theories-



Mike Treder of the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies suggests that since there is, at this point, no direct and/or widely apparent evidence that extraterrestrial life exists, it likely means one of the following:

We are (A) the first intelligent beings ever to become capable of making our presence known, and leaving our planet. At this point, there are no other life forms out there as advanced as us. Or perhaps extraterrestrial life does exists, but for some reason extraterrestrial life is so very rare and so very far away we’ll never make contact anyway—making extraterrestrial life nonexistent in a practical sense at least.

Or is it (B) that many advanced civilizations have existed before us, but without exception, they have for some unknown reason, existed and/or expanded in such a way that they are completely undetectable by our instruments.

Or is it (C) There have been others, but they have all run into some sort of “cosmic roadblock” that eventually destroys them, or at least prevents their expansion beyond a small area.

Then ancients once believed that Earth was the center of the universe. We now know that Earth isn’t even at the center of the Solar System. The Solar System is not at the center of our galaxy, and our galaxy is not in any special position in contrast to the rest of the known universe. From a scientific viewpoint, there is no apparent reason to believe that Earth enjoys some privileged status.

Since Earth’s placement in space and time appears to be unremarkably random, proposition “A” seems fairly unlikely. Assuming humans evolved like other forms of life into our present state due to natural selection, then there's really nothing all that mystical, special or remarkable about our development as a species either. Due to the shear numbers, there are almost certainly other planets capable of supporting at least some form of life. If that is so, then for Earthlings to be the very first species ever to make a noticeable mark on the universe, from a statistical perspective, is incredibly unlikely.

For proposition “B” to be correct would defy all logic. If potentially thousands, or even millions of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations exist in the known universe, then why would all of them, without exception, choose to expand or exist in such a way that they are completely undetectable? It’s conceivable that some might, or perhaps even the majority, but for all of them to be completely undetectable civilizations does not seem likely either.

> Proposition C, according to Treder, appears to be more likely than A or B. If “survival of the fittest” follows similar pathways on other worlds, then our own “civilized” nature could be somewhat typical of extraterrestrial civilizations that have, or do, exist. Somehow, we all get to the point where we end up killing ourselves in a natural course of technological development and thereby self-inflict our own “cosmic roadblock”.

“Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of the Fermi Paradox is what it suggests for the future of our human civilization. Namely, that we have no future beyond earthly confinement and, quite possibly, extinction. Could advanced nanotechnology play a role in preventing that extinction? Or, more darkly, is it destined to be instrumental in carrying out humanity's unavoidable death sentence?” wonders Mike Treder, executive director of the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology (CRN).