Rijul K

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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute *

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1010

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English

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Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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3

Uploaded by CommodoreKingfisher3860

Verma, Rijul 1 Fermi Paradox The Fermi Paradox originates from a commonly asked question: is there life out there? Enrico Fermi attempted to answer this question by providing some reasons as to why, if aliens exist, they have not attempted to contact us yet. Fermi theorized that it would take only about ten million years for any space-faring civilization to form a star-system spanning empire. Although this number may seem gargantuan in comparison to the average human life span, it is quite small in comparison to the universe’s age (being 13.787±0.020 billion years). Upon realizing this, Fermi began theorizing that there must be some other reason as to why humanity has not yet met other alien civilizations yet. Fermi’s theory of space-faring life existing and being more advanced than human life is corroborated by the fact that numerous areas known as the ‘goldilocks-zone’ exist beyond our solar-system. Many of these systems predate hav e suns that predate our own Sun by millions of years giving plenty of time for advanced lifeforms to develop and flourish. Yet, even after all these facts being true—no alien civilization is known to have visited the earth or even if they have, no hard evidence has been found regarding this matter. Based on this argument of probability many researchers and astronomers began theorizing why we have not been visited by aliens yet. One of the prevailing arguments used to address the Fermi Paradox centers around the exorbitant costs associated with interstellar travel. When we think about the concept of warp drives or technologies enabling interplanetary journeys at a galactic scale, it seems astronomically expensive, at least from a contemporary human perspective. Given the impossibility of speculating on the economic and political conditions of intergalactic civilizations, it's often more practical to frame the discussion in human terms. To gauge our own progress in space exploration and colonization, we can turn to the Kardashev scale, which relies on the principle of exponential progression. Nikolai Kardashev categorized civilizations on a scale ranging from zero to five. A type one civilization, for instance, has the capacity to harness all the energy available on its home planet and store it for consumption. Current research projections suggest that humanity may reach a type one civilization within the next one hundred to two hundred years. Considering this, we can infer that alien civilizations, in their journey to becoming type one, likely encountered similar challenges. Even after achieving the remarkable feat of space travel, an advanced alien civilization could still grapple with challenges akin to those faced by humanity in the present day. Issues such as poverty, famine, war, political conflicts, and societal standstills might act as formidable obstacles that deter any civilization from contemplating the pursuit of interstellar dominance. These complex and persistent problems could potentially affect even the most advanced societies,
Verma, Rijul 2 emphasizing that no matter their technological prowess, civilizations may still contend with fundamental issues before embarking on galactic expansion. Another intriguing theory proposed to shed light on the enigmatic Fermi Paradox is the concept known as the Dullsville Suburb Theory. This hypothesis delves into the notion that our galaxy, the Milky Way, might be situated in an exceedingly remote and unremarkable region within the vast expanse of the known universe. Consequently, this uneventful location could account for the apparent absence of extraterrestrial contact, as more advanced civilizations might simply overlook our uninteresting corner of the cosmos. Much like humans today ants in glass enclosures, we could be unwitting participants in some cosmic exhibition. While these theories offer intriguing perspectives on the Fermi Paradox, one theory stands out as the most plausible: the notion that alien civilizations may lack the stamina required for galactic expansion. This concept draws a compelling parallel with the historical experiences of the Polynesians, who, despite their remarkable navigational skills and ability to colonize numerous islands across the Pacific, failed in establishing a vast empire. In a similar vein, it's conceivable that even advanced alien societies, equipped with the means for interstellar travel, could encounter challenges in sustaining and perpetuating their colonization efforts. Conquering the vastness of the galaxy demands not only the initial colonization of distant star systems but also the establishment of self-sustaining settlements, each capable of spawning future generations of pioneers. This arduous process could span numerous generations and pose significant logistical and societal challenges. Just as the Polynesians did not manage to extend their dominion to all the islands they encountered, it is plausible that extraterrestrial civilizations faced similar limitations in their galactic ambitions. This compelling theory underscores the notion that even highly advanced societies may grapple with the intricate task of interstellar colonization, shedding light on the enduring Fermi Paradox. While it remains speculative, this explanation highlights the complexities inherent in expanding across the cosmos and offers a thought-provoking perspective on the potential hurdles faced by intelligent alien civilizations. In this light, even advanced societies may grapple with the intricacies of interstellar colonization, revealing the enduring complexities of expansion across the cosmos. To conclude with some of my own personal thoughts, I imagine interstellar travel being a feasible feat for humans but being impeded by the mortality of humans as seen in the show The Expanse . The Fermi Paradox may remain unsolved for a few more millennia as humans currently have pressing issues to tackle to ensure our survival to the point that we can even solve this paradox.
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