What is this?

The Fermi Paradox is an apparent contradiction between the conclusions drawn from our observations of the universe, including its size and age, and the likelihood of our having detected evidence of signals from extra-terrestrial life. Specifically, given our observations of the vastness of the cosmos, the age of the universe, and the number of stars and planets, it seems counterintuitive and statistically unlikely that we have not yet observed signs of extra-terrestrial lifeforms. This paradox remains an unsolved scientific puzzle and continues to constitute a source of debate among scientists, astronomers, and philosophers.

See also: evolution, emergence, free will

EP 172 Brendan Graham Dempsey on Emergentism 264

EP 152 Gary Bengier on Hard-Science Futures 189

Currents 016: Robin Hanson on Are We Living In A Simulation? 179

EP116 Doug Erwin on the Cambrian Explosion 165

EP91 Joe Brewer on Applied Cultural Evolution 148

EP127 Jonathan Rowson on The Moves That Matter 145

EP1 Simon DeDeo – The Evolution of Consciousness 137

EP135 Dennis Waters on Behavior & Culture in One Dimension 121

Currents 008: Christopher Conselice: Finding Extraterrestrial Intelligence 88

EP43 Daniel Christian Wahl on a Regenerative Future 71