The Blueprint
Posts
Why is the cosmos so quiet? New theories to explain the silence

Why is the cosmos so quiet? New theories to explain the silence

November 12, 2023

Predators. Plagues. Asteroids. War. As humanity contends with existential threats, we can't help but wonder — what would it take to silence entire alien civilizations before a first greeting reaches us?

Or might extra terrestrial intelligence evolve into modes of being so foreign, with motives so divergent from our own, that even their concept of communication fundamentally changes? Perhaps they transcend their origins and disappear into inner space, no longer concerned with voices from the stars?

This weekend, we explore two fascinating theories that attempt to decode the silence between worlds. The truth remains uncertain. But one thing's clear — our cosmos most likely brims with wonders still awaiting discovery.

Cartoon

Weekly Must Read

Decoding the silence: New theories on finding alien civilizations

The question has confounded experts for decades: Given billions of hospitable planets, why do we still lack evidence of intelligent extraterrestrial life? This cosmic riddle is known as the Fermi Paradox. Now two intriguing theories have emerged that might help unravel why our cosmic neighborhood remains eerily silent.

One hypothesis suggests alien civilizations may destroy themselves before we ever hear them. Perhaps, like Cold War-era fears of nuclear armageddon, ET grapples with existential threats too, whether war, asteroid strikes, AI rebellions, or self-made climate disasters. Under this view (discussed in Part 1), annihilation vetoes first contact, leaving only ghosts of lost galactic companions.

But another compelling idea (discussed in Part 2) proposes advancement, not annihilation. What if exponential technologies allow aliens to transcend physical limits and adopt unrecognizable modes of existence? They may not die off but progress to states incomprehensible to present humanity. Alien priorities could shift radically as they shed organic origins for digital and virtual realms. They go "silent" not from destruction but evolution into exotic intelligences following different dictates.

This theory is known as the Transcension Hypothesis, first proposed by futurist John Smart. It speculates civilizations eventually “transcend” material obstacles and withdraw into compute-optimized “inner space.” Once digitally ascended, connecting across the cosmos may hold less meaning.

Of course, both prospects are speculative. Perhaps the truth combines elements of destruction and transformation. Or external forces are at play, like remote aliens purposefully avoiding contact that might disrupt less-advanced cultures. We may mistake lack of evidence for cosmic absence. After all, space is exceedingly vast, and detection capabilities remain limited

Famed astronomer Dr. Frank Drake wove existential fears into his influential Drake Equation, which estimates the number of galactic civilizations we could communicate with. He considered lifespan the most crucial variable. But must "going silent" imply extinction? Perhaps transcending physicality alters communication modes too.

Profound discoveries may await us if we persist in our search despite the silence. Until first contact, the Fermi paradox reveals more about ourselves and our prospects for survival than any extraterrestrial civilizations. But one remains certain - this cosmos is full of wonders awaiting discovery by those bold enough to seek.

Click below for Part 1 of Decoding the silence: New theories on finding alien civilizations

VIDEO OF THE DAY

The robot that could feed our world

A self-driving, laser-equipped robot autonomously targets and eradicates harmful weeds in crop fields, revolutionizing agriculture and reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

AND ANOTHER THING

Are we closer than ever to 3D printing virtually anything? Multi-material 3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing process. Learn more about the technology that is taking us closer to 3D printing anything!
Researchers decode 60% of enigmatic ancient Kushan script — here’s how More than half of the 25 to 30 signs of the previously undeciphered Kushan script can now be read — 70 years after it was first discovered.
Why scientists believe the Earth's oceans are losing their blue color A new study confirms that the color of the planet's oceans has been steadily changing away from blue. Scientists believe humans are behind the shift.
China’s ‘miracle material’ achieves record-breaking solar panel energy LONGi has crossed the theoretical limit of 33.7 percent efficiency for single junction solar cells with its tandem solar cell design.

Need help with advertising? Reach 150,000 engineering and tech professionals. Contact us

what else?

⚙️ To explore the wonders of mechanical engineering, get your Gears in Motion

🔷 For all the week’s top engineering stories, subscribe to the Vital Component

🧑🏻‍🔧 For expert advice on engineering careers, subscribe to Engineer Pros

🧠 New: To get the latest AI news every Monday, subscribe to AI Logs

🎬 For a weekly round-up of our best science, tech & engineering videos, subscribe to IE Originals

Give Feedback

You are receiving this email because you have subscribed to our newsletter. Manage your e-mail preferences here. Unsubscribe from our emails here. See our full privacy policy or terms of conditions.