Thoughts on the fermi paradox?

[Ban]

A recent interest of mine has been the idea of the fermi paradox. I'm interpreting it as, given the large number of plannets around stars even within our galaxy it would seem the odds would stack in favour of life emerging on some of them and some of that life becoming intelligent enough that we would see evidence of it. So where are all the aliens?

 

[Binary_Bark]

It's the vast distances between star systems.
Eg. closest star to us is (excluding our own Sol) Proxima Centauri. For this, let's say there are beings living there and happened to have a dish of some kind pointed towards us, what they will receive/ see is broadcasts from around the end of WWII. Now, that is if any of those radio waves were able to leave our gravity well, if they did, they would be extremely feint.

The vastness of space can boggle the mind of anyone.
In this case, us or the others would need to be EXTREMELY lucky

 

[Binary_Bark]

They are probably smart enough to stay away from us. Humans are very destructive, if you drove past earth and saw us and what we do here, would you stop? I wouldn't.

Would lock my U.F.O's hypothetical doors, double lock them.

 

[Ban]

They are probably smart enough to stay away from us. Humans are very destructive, if you drove past earth and saw us and what we do here, would you stop? I wouldn't.

Yes I think there's the temptation to think we'd be super interesting to them but perhaps they are perfectly aware of us and just not interested.

It's the vast distances between star systems.
Eg. closest star to us is (excluding our own Sol) Proxima Centauri. For this, let's say there are beings living there and happened to have a dish of some kind pointed towards us, what they will receive/ see is broadcasts from around the end of WWII. Now, that is if any of those radio waves were able to leave our gravity well, if they did, they would be extremely feint.

The vastness of space can boggle the mind of anyone.
In this case, us or the others would need to be EXTREMELY lucky

I know what you mean, perhaps it's overestimation of how easy you could even spot any such evidence given the distance and then as you said the timeline being offset by limiting us to communication at the speed of light.

 

[Ban]

If I came from far away and happened to see this place where we live, I would either destroy the planet before it spreads, or turn around and drive as fast as I could in the opposite direction. We do not make a good impression.

You can picture them looking at us and just thinking "STAY AWAY!"

 

[watersprite]

I have wondered if instead of us looking and probing the universe, that perhaps we are one of the results of an alien’s von Neumann machine.

 

[Ban]

I have wondered if instead of us looking and probing the universe, that perhaps we are one of the results of an alien’s von Neumann machine.

Interesting idea, although if there is a Von Neumann machine why are there not lots more plannets around us where a Von Neumann probe has landed and set up life?

 

[tree]

"The Fermi paradox is the conflict between the lack of clear, obvious evidence for extraterrestrial life and various high estimates for their existence.

As a 2015 article put it, 'If life is so easy, someone from somewhere must have come calling by now.'

Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi's name is associated with the paradox because of a casual conversation in the summer of 1950 with fellow physicists Edward Teller, Herbert York and Emil Konopinski. While walking to lunch, the men discussed recent UFO reports and the possibility of faster-than-light travel. The conversation moved on to other topics, until during lunch Fermi blurted out, 'But where is everybody?' (although the exact quote is uncertain).
Fermi paradox - Wikipedia
Fermi's Paradox

"The idea of self-replicating spacecraft has been applied – in theory – to several distinct "tasks". The particular variant of this idea applied to the idea of space exploration is known as a von Neumann probe after mathematician John von Neumann, who originally conceived of them. Other variants include the Berserker and an automated terraforming seeder ship."
Self-replicating spacecraft - Wikipedia
Von Neumann machine - Wikipedia

 

[LadyS]

People would probably hate me for this but Ancient Alien theory makes the most sense to me. That aliens came to this planet, created humans by mixing their DNA with primates, and now observing us from a distance like an experiment. That centuries ago groups of people around the world, before long distance travel and communication that they all subscribed to the idea that there was a God, creator of all things and that it was from the sky. And they all came to that conclusion separately ans coincidentally. Won't go into further detail as it can also touch upon religion.

I have a feeling that's what might be happening, and if not, they're definitely already here, observing us, and waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves which I fear won't be in my lifetime, but still holding out for hope.

 

[Ban]

"The Fermi paradox is the conflict between the lack of clear, obvious evidence for extraterrestrial life and various high estimates for their existence.

As a 2015 article put it, 'If life is so easy, someone from somewhere must have come calling by now.'

Italian-American physicist Enrico Fermi's name is associated with the paradox because of a casual conversation in the summer of 1950 with fellow physicists Edward Teller, Herbert York and Emil Konopinski. While walking to lunch, the men discussed recent UFO reports and the possibility of faster-than-light travel. The conversation moved on to other topics, until during lunch Fermi blurted out, 'But where is everybody?' (although the exact quote is uncertain).
Fermi paradox - Wikipedia
Fermi's Paradox

"The idea of self-replicating spacecraft has been applied – in theory – to several distinct "tasks". The particular variant of this idea applied to the idea of space exploration is known as a von Neumann probe after mathematician John von Neumann, who originally conceived of them. Other variants include the Berserker and an automated terraforming seeder ship."
Self-replicating spacecraft - Wikipedia
Von Neumann machine - Wikipedia

The Von Neumann probe seems a paradox too, If a Von Neumann probe is possible then why isn't there one here?

 

[Ban]

People would probably hate me for this but Ancient Alien theory makes the most sense to me. That aliens came to this planet, created humans by mixing their DNA with primates, and now observing us from a distance like an experiment. That centuries ago groups of people around the world, before long distance travel and communication that they all subscribed to the idea that there was a God, creator of all things and that it was from the sky. And they all came to that conclusion separately. Won't go into further detail as it can also touch upon religion.

I have a feeling that's what might be happening, and if not, they're definitely already here, observing us, and waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves which I fear won't be in my lifetime, but still holding out for hope.

Would this idea be that life here did originate on earth and evolved and only recently aliens combined dna with primates with then led to humans?

 

[LadyS]

Would this idea be that life here did originate on earth and evolved and only recently aliens combined dna with primates with then led to humans?

Yes, this.

 

[Ban]

Yes, this.

It's an interesting idea, I'm torn between on one hand thinking we're not that different from alot of other primates especially the great apes which seems like like evolution can explain to thinking that our level of consciousness does seem unique.
I think I'd definitely be thinking evolution alone can explain it though, have you came across evidence for the idea or is it more of a thought experiment?

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

I am just glad that we have not encountered self-replicating machines from a paranoid civilization sent out to destroy planets with tecnological civilizations.

 

[Ban]

I am just glad that we have not encountered self-replicating machines from a paranoid civilization sent out to destroy planets with tecnological civilizations.

Deffintly, the encounter wouldn't last long haha

 

[Judge]

A recent interest of mine has been the idea of the fermi paradox. I'm interpreting it as, given the large number of plannets around stars even within our galaxy it would seem the odds would stack in favour of life emerging on some of them and some of that life becoming intelligent enough that we would see evidence of it. So where are all the aliens?

If space is truly an "infinite" concept, why is it not conceivable that the nearest form of intelligent life exists, but at an astronomically greater distance beyond our own solar system ?

So that from our incredibly limited perspective based on distance and technological considerations, that intelligent life doesn't seem to exist. But it most likely does. We just can't reach it. And perhaps they either can't as well, or wisely choose not to.

 

[watersprite]

I figure if some other life wanted to seed a planet, they’d choose one like this, which is anomalous in its area. Makes it kinda hard to leave the lab lol.
Their experiment zoo is far enough away from their home planet (if they have one) that the subsequent creatures would be unlikely to get out & cause problems for them.

 

[Binary_Bark]

I am just glad that we have not encountered self-replicating machines from a paranoid civilization sent out to destroy planets with technological civilizations.

Daleks?

 

[LadyS]

It's an interesting idea, I'm torn between on one hand thinking we're not that different from alot of other primates especially the great apes which seems like like evolution can explain to thinking that our level of consciousness does seem unique.
I think I'd definitely be thinking evolution alone can explain it though, have you came across evidence for the idea or is it more of a thought experiment?

If you look up Ancient Astronauts there's a lot of information on the not very widely accepted idea. There isn't any physical evidence for the theory, just a lot of interpretations of historical events, ancient writings, etc and the connecting of all of them to that central idea. They even have a show on it (which most people think are full of quacks). Doesn't really stop me from considering it a possibility since things like ghosts and paranormal are also dismissed by the scientific community when it has been experienced virtually in some form worldwide.

 

[Tom]

I think it's like anything else, that may (and probably will) never happen. It's better for your mental health not to worry about it until when and if they show up and start eating the neighbors.