In the 1990’s the economist and futurist Robin Hanson coined the phrase The Great Filter as a speculative answer to the Fermi Paradox, the apparent contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial civilizations existing in our vast universe and the complete lack of evidence for their presence.
Depending on your perspective, the Fermi Paradox might be answered in a couple of ways. Perhaps the existence of Life is very rare. Therefore, we are unique. Or a more pessimistic dynamic, namely that advanced civilizations may tend to self-destruct.
According to Hanson an advanced civilization must clear specific hurdles. First, from a cosmological perspective, a habitable planet must form up and sustain itself. Then a biogenesis or emergence of life must take place, beginning with complex cells (eukaryotes) and multi-celled organisms evolving in complexity over time. Then those beings must evolve intellectually and advanced technologies must be invented. Finally, the evolutionary system must sustain itself and survive.
Logically, any and all extra-terrestrial civilizations would face the same developmental obstacles as us.
Time will supply the answer to the Fermi Paradox. Meanwhile, given the amount of chaos and vituperative antagonism we see around us today, we should not be too quick to rule out the possibility that advanced civilizations may often harbor the seeds of their own destruction.
Proposed: Let’s put our petty political and social differences aside and focus on maintaining ourselves as intelligent beings capable of sustained survival.
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