Previously we briefly introduced the Drake Equation which attempted to estimate the number of advanced civilizations in our galaxy. Unfortunately, the parameters going into the formula are wildly speculative, and thus so is the final result. Nevertheless, Drake himself estimates the number at 10,000, and this is the estimate we shall use.
But for all man’s effort, we’ve discovered nothing. Why not? The disparity between the huge numbers of expected contacts and the reality of finding nothing raises the Fermi Paradox — the contradiction between the high (claimed) probability of abundant life elsewhere and our complete failure to find any traces of its existence, current or in the past.
Some argue in the inherent nature for civilizations to destroy themselves or others, and thus don’t last very long — as soon as a society becomes intelligent, it comes to a rapid end. Of course, we don’t have any data so it’s pure speculation. Others say we haven’t looked long enough, and sooner or later we’re bound to find something.
But all these theories ignore the basic issue — nothing has been found, and it should be.
You see, if evolution is true, life in the universe should be abundant (or at least we shouldn’t be alone). You can’t say various planets are inhospitable to life — to our life perhaps, but not life adapted to the unique circumstances on that planet. So where is this abundant life in the universe? It appears we’re all alone.