The Fermi Paradox:

[beecee]

https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1605/1605.09187.pdf

The Fermi Paradox is Neither Fermi’s Nor a Paradox:

Abstract:

The so-called Fermi paradox claims that if technological life existed anywhere else, we would see evidence of its visits to Earth—and since we do not, such life does not exist, or some special explanation is needed. Enrico Fermi, however, never published anything on this topic. On the one occasion he is known to have mentioned it, he asked “where is everybody?”—apparently suggesting that we don’t see extraterrestrials on Earth because interstellar travel may not be feasible, but not suggesting that intelligent extraterrestrial life does not exist, or suggesting its absence is paradoxical. The claim “they are not here; therefore they do not exist” was first published by Michael Hart, claiming that interstellar travel and colonization of the galaxy would be inevitable if intelligent extraterrestrial life existed, and taking its absence here as proof that it does not exist anywhere. The Fermi paradox appears to originate in Hart’s argument, not Fermi’s question. Clarifying the origin of these ideas is important, because the Fermi paradox is seen by some as an authoritative objection to searching for evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence—cited in the U. S. Congress as a reason for killing NASA’s SETI program on one occasion—but evidence indicates that it misrepresents Fermi’s views, misappropriates his authority, deprives the actual authors of credit, and is not a valid paradox.

Conclusion:

The so-called Fermi paradox misrepresents Fermi’s views about the feasibility of interstellar travel and the possible existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life, uses his name and authority for ideas originated by Hart and Tipler, and asserts a logical paradox where none exists, so it is difficult to see any valid use for the phrase. It’s not Fermi’s idea, and it’s not a paradox. Fermi asked “where is everybody?”, questioning the feasibility of interstellar travel, but not questioning the possible existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life, so it seems clear that Fermi’s name should not be used for a so-called Fermi paradox which depends on interstellar travel, and which does question the existence of extraterrestrials—the opposite of his views. Fermi’s question might more accurately be called Fermi’s question about the feasibility of interstellar travel, to avoid mistaking it as an argument against the possible existence of intelligent extraterrestrial life. The argument “they are not here; therefore they do not exist” was first published by Hart and extended by Tipler, and might be called the Hart-Tipler argument against the existence of technological extraterrestrials. This is not exactly the same as the Fermi paradox, but it is the simplest answer to the question “where is everybody?” if interstellar travel and colonization are assumed. It seems misleading to cloak the Hart-Tipler argument with Fermi’s name and authority, because doing so deprives the true authors of credit and attributes views to Fermi which he did not hold. Some people may feel that the so-called Fermi paradox is a sleeping dog that should be left to lie, because it is established in the scientific literature and public mind, but most people would agree that clearly mistaken and misleading terminology should be corrected. The issue is important, because the Hart/Tipler argument was cited as a reason for killing NASA’s SETI program on one occasion in the U. S. Congress, and under the guise of Fermi’s name and the claim of a logical paradox, it may continue to inhibit funding and research in that area of astrobiology.

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While we as yet have no definitive evidence as to whether extra-terrestrial life exists beyond Earth, it is still rather presumptuous of us to presume it doesn't exist. The "near infinite" extent and content of the universe, along with the stuff of life being everywhere we look, indicates that Abiogenesis would have taken place elsewhere. How common is it? How many examples have reached human type intelligence? How many may have exceeded that intelligence?, are all questions that are unanswerable at this time.

Will we make contact with any intelligent species in the future? How really conceivable is star travel? Have any intelligent species ever visited Earth? are other unknown dependent questions that also need to be answered and which we have no evidence for as yet.

At least in my opinion, the two great barriers of time and distance, are the reasons that as yet no contact has ever been made, and may make it difficult in the future. Sadly mankind's greatest ever question/s, may not be answered in my lifetime.

What are your thoughts and scientific speculations on these questions?

 

 

[mathematic]

I agree with Fermi.  Interstellar distances are a the main problem.