conunundrum: The Great Filter Theory (Robin Hanson, 1998)The Great Filter Theory is the answer to th
conunundrum: The Great Filter Theory (Robin Hanson, 1998)The Great Filter Theory is the answer to the Fermi Paradox (check it out if you haven’t come across it before!) proposed by Robin Hanson. The Fermi Paradox questions why the human race hasn’t come into contact with any extra-terrestrial life-forms equally or more intelligent than us, since we have reason to believe that Earth is not the only life harbouring/sustaining plant in the universe. The Great Filter Theory believes that there must be a step in evolution in which we can master intermingling and communicating with other civilisations which is near impossible to pass. It could be believed that we have already passed that stage (the red line in the diagram), and are well on our way to communicating with extra-terrestrial civilisations who have also been capable of passing The Great Filter. However, if we haven’t passed this Great Filter, it means that the human race has to survive any technological and scientific advancements to pass, which could either be catastrophic to our survival or may lead us to communicate with alien civilisations. Alternatively, once step for intermingling of civilisations may be impossible to pass, therefore, we will never be able to meet our star siblings.read more here, here + here’s a TED video here by Hanson. -- source link