5 Answers to the Fermi Paradox: Why Haven’t We Made Contact Yet?
The question posed almost 70 years ago by physicist, Enrico Fermi, arguably remains to this day, “Where is everybody?” There exists no widely agreed upon solution to the Fermi Paradox: If there is sufficient probability other life exists in the galaxy, why haven’t we found it? Astrophysicists and theorists have continued to debate this question with new discoveries constantly adding to the conversation. Here are some of their ideas.
Fermi Paradox Solutions
Enrico Fermi was a brilliant physicist, known for achieving the first controlled nuclear reaction. At the time, he was working at the Los Alamos National Laboratory for the Department of Energy, when one day he and several colleagues began discussing recent stories regarding the UFO phenomenon.
The conversation came to an end, with his colleagues assuming they had moved on from the topic, but later at lunch Fermi shouted in exasperation, “Where is everybody?” They found it amusing, but the question persisted, eventually being fleshed out with a formula that calculated the number of stars, solar systems, and planets in the galaxy and the supposed likelihood of life. It became known as the Fermi Paradox.
Since that day, Fermi’s epiphanic moment has given birth to a number of potential solutions based on three premises: Any extraterrestrial life does not exist; extraterrestrial life exists, but has not yet contacted us; or extraterrestrial life is present, but we are unaware.
The Rare Earth Hypothesis
The circumstances that led to our existence here on Earth today are pretty phenomenal, almost too much so. A laundry list of seemingly improbable events and circumstances allowed life to develop on Earth, one of which is our anomalous moon.
Our abnormally large moon is in near perfect orbit. Most planets our size don’t have moons this large and it is thought that without it, life on Earth wouldn’t exist. The tides, caused by the gravitational pull of the moon, play a key role in plate tectonics. Without plate tectonics, it’s theorized the continental crust would have covered the entire surface of Earth, preventing any oceanic crust. Without the moon, there might not be any oceans.
In our solar system, we’re at a perfect distance from the sun, with large gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn acting as “cosmic vacuum cleaners” on the outer rim. These planets capture the larger asteroids that would otherwise devastate the evolution of life as we know it.
Within the galaxy, our location on the outer edge of a spiral arm also prevents large asteroids, orbiting closer to the galactic center, from coming our way. Also, the inner orbits of the galaxy are mostly dead zones, where high levels of cosmic radiation emit from a massive black hole and a number of incredibly dense neutron stars. Is this the Fermi Paradox solution? We were improbably lucky?
The argument against this theory, proposed by Carl Sagan and Frank Drake, is that we’re pretty mediocre. Our rocky planet is pretty common, as is our solar system, while the region of the galaxy we’re in is non-exceptional, and our galaxy is a type that makes up 77 percent of galaxies in the universe. Therefore, there is a high probability of intelligent extraterrestrial life out there. In fact, there are probably about 200 million planets situated like we are.
The Great Filter
From here out, most Fermi Paradox solutions are based on the Kardashev Scale, a theory about how civilizations might develop to colonize beyond ours. The Great Filter is an attempt to imagine whether there is something preventing us from moving on to the next point of the Kardashev Scale, a Type II civilization that can harness all the energy of its sun.
The Great Filter is a concept, proposed by economist Robin Hanson, which attempts to describe an ambiguity that prevents life from developing past a certain point. It basically states there is something that prevents dead matter from developing and giving rise to life, beyond a certain point. Hanson developed a nine-step list, which may or may not be complete, describing the concept of evolution for intelligent life:
- Life starts with the right star system, followed by:
- Reproductive molecules (DNA, RNA)
- Simple single-cell life
- Complex single-cell life
- Sexual reproduction
- Multi-cell life
- Tool-using animals with big brains
- Our civilization as we know it
- Colonization beyond our level
The Great Filter posits at some point along this scale – most likely the next level beyond where we are now – something will kill us off. Basically, it’s improbable we will colonize beyond Earth or our solar system. Therefore, any other intelligent life forms would be subject to the same principle, and we’ll never meet them. Might there be a chance we made it past the filter? Were other civilizations not as lucky?
Deadly Probes Scenario, a.k.a. The Berserker Scenario
Anders Sandberg, Stuart Armstrong, and Milan Ćirković made a few hypotheses based on Fermi’s Paradox. The Deadly Probes Scenario is one of their most dystopian theories.
In this scenario, the three hypothesize an incredibly advanced, extraterrestrial intelligence created probes to monitor the galaxy or universe for other civilizations or signs of evolving life. These probes are self-replicating, also known as Von Neumann probes, so they can reproduce and autonomously patrol space to prevent another civilization from rising up and destroying them. There would be four conditions these probes might have to meet to possibly exist:
- They would have to be the cause of the great silence – the reason we haven’t heard anyone.
- They’d have to be compatible with our existence.
- They would be silent in their activities so as not to be visible.
- They would be impossible to overthrow by a new civilization.
There would also be two levels of stability with these probes. Type I stability would be a dominant species of probe that prevents other species from emerging, or Type II, which a coexistence of two or more probe species equally competed with each other for rule over the galaxy.
The authors of this scenario don’t think this is a plausible Fermi Paradox solution, at least within our galaxy. Because if it were, those berserker probes would be incredibly inefficient in not destroying us yet.
A Benevolent or Super Advanced Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Another belief, which is a bit more utopian, is we are still in the nascent phase of what we have the potential to become; a highly advanced race capable of things we can only dream of in sci-fi movies. This could theoretically mean an advanced extraterrestrial intelligence has reached this phase and observed us, but is waiting to reveal itself.
Why wouldn’t this race make its presence known? Most likely because it does not want to disturb us in our evolutionary process. This has become known as the zoo hypothesis: Compared to their level of intelligence, they view us like we view apes.
This civilization might understand it is necessary to let nature play its course as, if we became aware of their existence, we might screw something up. Chances are, they’re beyond the petty problems we face today including war, resource scarcity, and primitive modes of transportation. If they were to get involved, we might freak out and destroy ourselves.
They also might be slowly feeding us technology and information waiting for the time when we’re ready for them to make their presence known.
The authors of the Deadly Probes theory also proposed the aestivation hypothesis. Maybe these highly advanced civilizations are hibernating. The hypothesis states these types of civilizations may have uploaded their consciousness onto computers — a theory posited by Nick Bostrom — which would potentially allow for life to last long after the physical body deteriorates.
In this case, these conscious computer entities would want to wait for the universe to cool down to maximize energy efficiency. According to this theory the thermodynamics of computation makes the cost of a certain amount of computation proportional to temperature. Therefore, the colder the universe gets, the less it costs them to expend energy.
According to their hypothesis, these civilizations have seen it all in the universe’s current iteration. There’s no new information for them to obtain. Kind of depressing, right? So, they’re powering down into sleep mode and waiting until things cool down and maybe get more interesting.
The Holographic Universe
This theory gained a lot of traction lately, even though it was first widely proposed in the premise of The Matrix — nearly 20 years ago. Since Nick Bostrom, Elon Musk, and a slew of NASA scientists expressed their belief in this theory, it has become more popular. Maybe we haven’t made contact with extraterrestrial intelligence because we’re living in a computer simulation.
In this case, a number of theories have branched off from the broader concept. One idea is that an advanced extraterrestrial intelligence created a computer program to run a hyper-realistic simulation for whatever reason. If we had the computing power to achieve this, we probably would too. In that case, how deep does the rabbit hole go? Are they living in a computer simulation, too?
This theory seems to parallel the idea of a multiverse or the idea of infinite parallel dimensions. The difference is only a matter of semantics. Then again, the difference between us living in a computer simulation created by an advanced extraterrestrial race and us living in a world created by a god, is also a matter of semantics. Mind blown? Ours too.
So, what is the true solution to the Fermi Paradox? Will we ever find out? Only time will tell.
About the Author
Pleiadians: Who They Are and What Their Mission on Earth Is
The Pleiadians are beings of light from the star cluster of the Pleiades, a group of stars with great importance in mythology and astronomy. These beings have a special connection with Earth and help humanity in its spiritual evolution. In this article, we explore who the Pleiadians are, their main characteristics, and the historical and cultural meaning of the Pleiades.
Table of Contents
- Who Are the Pleiadians?
- Main Characteristics of the Pleiadians
- How to Know if You Are a Pleiadian
- Mission of the Pleiadians on Earth
- How to Develop Your Connection with the Pleiadians
- Pleiadian Symbols
- The Pleiades: History and Meaning
- The Pleiades in Different Cultures and Mythologies
Who Are the Pleiadians?
The Pleiadians are multidimensional spiritual beings from the star system of the Pleiades, located in the constellation of Taurus. These beings, highly evolved both spiritually and technologically, are committed to the well-being and evolution of humanity. Their main mission is to guide humans toward a greater awakening of consciousness and universal harmony.
With a humanoid appearance and Nordic features, the Pleiadians possess a high energetic vibration and an innate connection with cosmic energy. This connection allows them to access higher knowledge and dimensions, transmitting wisdom and spiritual tools to humanity. They are recognized for their ability to heal and balance energies, acting as spiritual guides and protectors of Earth.
These beings interact with humanity through telepathy, dreams, meditation, and other forms of subtle communication. They often seek to connect with individuals who are open to receiving their guidance and who are in tune with their spiritual mission. The Pleiadians see Earth as a crucial planet in the development of the universe, and their goal is to assist in the transition toward an era of greater peace, love, and understanding, helping humanity reach its true potential.
Main Characteristics of the Pleiadians
The Pleiadians possess various characteristics that distinguish them and are mentioned in multiple sources and contact reports.
- Nordic appearance: They have a look similar to that of Nordic or Scandinavian people, with fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes.
- Lifespan: They live approximately 700 years, allowing them to accumulate vast knowledge and experience.
- Emotional development: They are highly emotionally developed, showing deep compassion and love for other beings.
- Spiritual development: Their spiritual evolution is advanced, and they practice a way of life based on harmony and balance.
- Telepathy: They use telepathy as their primary form of communication, facilitating the transmission of thoughts and feelings without the need for words.
- Advanced technology: They possess technology far superior to that of humans, including the ability to travel interstellarly.
- Helping mission: Their main objective is to help humanity in its spiritual evolution and in the protection of planet Earth.
How to Know if You Are a Pleiadian
It is possible that Pleiadians incarnate on Earth in human form to fulfill their spiritual mission. Therefore, you yourself could be a Pleiadian. If you experience certain signs and specific personal experiences, you may have a Pleiadian origin.
A common sign is a strong attraction to the Pleiades and a deep interest in spirituality and personal growth. If you feel an intuitive connection with these beings and a sense of having lived past lives in the Pleiades, you might be one of them.
Another indication is a strong empathy and sensitivity toward others. If you have a compassionate nature and a deep desire to help others reach their highest potential, you could be a Pleiadian. These characteristics often lead people to work in fields such as healing, teaching, or any area that involves supporting the development and well-being of others.
In addition, Pleiadians tend to experience a deep connection with nature and an innate desire to protect the environment. If you feel a strong responsibility toward Earth and seek to live in a more harmonious and sustainable way, this could be a sign. This connection can also manifest through intuitive or telepathic abilities. To gain more clarity about this connection, you may consider consulting an Akashic Records reading.
Mission of the Pleiadians on Earth
The mission of the Pleiadians on Earth is to support humanity in its process of spiritual transformation. These multidimensional beings aim to guide humans toward a greater awakening of consciousness, helping them reconnect with their true essence and overcome the limitations imposed by the ego and duality. The Pleiadians, through channelers and direct contact, provide teachings and tools to facilitate this process of evolution.
Additionally, the Pleiadians are interested in the well-being of the planet and all its inhabitants. Their goal is to promote greater balance and harmony on Earth, encouraging people to live in a more conscious and sustainable way. The messages they transmit often emphasize the importance of connecting with nature, unconditional love, and compassion for all living beings.
By raising the collective vibration of humanity, the Pleiadians believe that a more peaceful and prosperous reality can be created. In the series Galactic Messages, available on Gaia, Gosia Duszak reveals her direct communications with Swaruu of Erra, a Taygetan from the star system of the Pleiades. This series explores the Pleiadians’ mission on Earth and how their teachings can help humanity evolve and overcome the limitations imposed by the three-dimensional matrix.
How to Develop Your Connection with the Pleiadians
Developing your connection with the Pleiadians begins with a clear intention to open yourself to their guidance and wisdom. Meditation is fundamental for this purpose, as it allows you to calm your mind and raise your personal vibration. Meditating by visualizing the Pleiades or using Pleiadian symbols can facilitate the connection and help you receive intuitive messages.
Another method to strengthen this connection is keeping a journal of dreams and meditations. There you can note any experience or communication you feel is related to the Pleiadians. These records can offer you valuable insights and patterns that confirm the presence of these beings in your life. Stay receptive and trust your intuition, as these are key to correctly interpreting the messages.
Participating in communities and spiritual groups that share an interest in the Pleiadians can also provide you with additional support and guidance. Interacting with others who are on the same path can enrich your experience and offer you new perspectives and techniques to deepen your connection with these multidimensional beings.
Pleiadian Symbols
Pleiadian symbols are spiritual tools that facilitate connection with the energy and wisdom of the Pleiadians. These symbols are used in meditations and rituals to invoke the guidance and protection of the Pleiadians, assist in spiritual healing, and elevate consciousness.
- Seven-pointed star: Represents the seven sisters of the star cluster of the Pleiades. It is used to invoke the guidance and protection of the Pleiadians during meditation.
- Spiral: Symbolizes the continuous growth and evolution of the soul. Meditating with this symbol can elevate consciousness and facilitate emotional and spiritual healing.
- Mandala of light: Contains sacred patterns and healing energies. It is used to activate and harmonize the chakras, allowing for a more balanced and healthy energy flow in the body.
- Pyramid of light: Represents ascension and the connection with cosmic energies. Used to amplify energy during meditations and elevate personal vibration.
- Triskelion: An ancient symbol that represents balance and harmony between body, mind, and spirit. It helps maintain a stable connection with Pleiadian energies and facilitates the integration of their teachings.
The Pleiades: History and Meaning
The Pleiades, the place of origin of the Pleiadians, are a star cluster located in the constellation of Taurus. This group of stars, also known as the “Seven Sisters,” has been identified and studied since ancient times, being one of the most recognizable and significant celestial objects. At a distance of approximately 444 light-years from Earth, the Pleiades are visible to the naked eye and have inspired numerous stories and mythologies around the world.
Historically, the Pleiades have played an important role in navigation and agriculture. In ancient Greece, their appearance in the night sky marked the beginning of the navigation and planting season. Similarly, in many indigenous cultures, the position and visibility of the Pleiades were used to guide seasonal and ceremonial activities, demonstrating their relevance in the daily life of various civilizations.
The name “Pleiades” comes from the Greek myth of the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the nymph Pleione. The seven sisters, known as Maia, Electra, Taygete, Celaeno, Alcyone, Sterope, and Merope, have been symbolized in various cultures as a group of women or spiritual entities with deep astronomical and mythological meaning. Their influence in the legends and folklore of different peoples highlights the universality of their presence in the sky.
The Pleiades in Different Cultures and Mythologies
The Pleiades have been revered in various cultures and mythologies throughout history. In Greek cosmology, they represented the daughters of the Titan Atlas. In Japanese mythology, they are known as “Subaru” and symbolize unity and cooperation. Native Americans, such as the Cherokees and Lakotas, considered the Pleiades to be ancestors and sources of spiritual wisdom. These interpretations reflect the diversity and richness of the symbolism associated with this star cluster.
The Pleiades in Ancient Greek Cosmology
In Greek cosmology, the Pleiades were the seven daughters of the Titan Atlas and the nymph Pleione. Each of these sisters had her own myth and legacy. For example, Maia was the mother of Hermes, the messenger of the gods, while Electra was the mother of Dardanus, the founder of Troy. These connections with prominent figures in Greek mythology highlight the importance of the Pleiades in the Hellenic pantheon.
The Greek myth also tells that the Pleiades were transformed into stars by Zeus to save them from the hunter Orion, who pursued them relentlessly. This tale has been immortalized in the sky, where Orion continues to chase the Pleiades, symbolizing an eternal cosmic dance. The constellation of Taurus, where the Pleiades are located, also plays a crucial role in this myth, adding layers of meaning to their astronomical observation.
Western Hermeticism and Esoteric Symbolism
Western Hermeticism, based on the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, sees the Pleiades as a source of knowledge and spiritual wisdom. In Hermetic tradition, it is believed that the Pleiades are a school of learning for advanced souls, where seekers of truth can access higher levels of consciousness and understanding.
Additionally, the Pleiades are associated with electric energy and spiritual illumination. In esoteric practice, meditating on the Pleiades can open portals to profound experiences and knowledge, facilitating spiritual growth and personal evolution. This esoteric symbolism reflects how the stars have been seen not only as celestial bodies but as spiritual guides and sources of power.
Norse, Celtic, and Bronze Age Mythology
In Norse mythology, the Pleiades were known as a group of stars associated with seasonal and agricultural events. The Vikings used their appearance in the night sky to mark the beginning of the seasons and guide their navigation activities. This connection with nature and everyday life shows the integration of the Pleiades into Norse culture, reflecting their importance in both agriculture and sea travel.
In Celtic mythology, the Pleiades were connected with the Samhain cycle, a festival that marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. This time of transition was considered a period when the veil between the world of the living and the dead was thinner, and the Pleiades played a crucial role in this context. Additionally, in the Bronze Age, the Nebra Sky Disk, found in Germany, shows a depiction of the cluster, indicating its importance in astronomical and religious practices of that time.
The Pleiades in Asian Cosmologies
In ancient China, the Pleiades were known as “Mao” and were part of the agricultural calendar. Their observation was crucial to determine the right time to plant and harvest. Furthermore, it was believed that these stars had a direct influence on the weather and seasons, becoming deeply integrated into Chinese agricultural and spiritual life.
In Japan, the Pleiades are called “Subaru,” which means “unite” or “gather together.” This association with unity is reflected in the logo of the car company Subaru, which features six stars representing the Pleiades. The importance of these stars in Japanese culture is also evident in festivals and spiritual practices, where they are seen as symbols of harmony and collaboration.
Pleiades Myths of Native Americans
For many Native American tribes, the Pleiades hold deep meaning. The Cherokees, for example, believe they are the souls of young people who ascended to the sky, symbolizing purity and the connection with spirit. In their myths, the Pleiades often represent ancestors and spiritual guides who protect and guide the tribes.
The Dakotas consider the Pleiades to be the dwelling place of the ancestors and believe that when people die, their souls travel to this star cluster. A popular myth tells the story of seven sisters who were chased by a giant bear. The gods lifted the sisters to the sky to save them, transforming them into the Pleiades, while the bear’s claw marks were left on the Devil’s Tower, a monolith in Wyoming. These stories highlight the rich spiritual connection between native peoples and the Pleiades.
