Fermi Paradox

By Deane Barker • •

This is an argument/statement that posits: given the size and scale of the universe, it’s almost certain that there are other intelligent lifeforms out there, yet we still don’t have any credible evidence of any of them.

Enrico Fermi was a physicist who was engaged in a conversation with some colleagues over lunch sometimes in the 1950s. They were talking about the likelihood of extra-terrestrial life. At one point Fermi said something like: “Well then, where is everybody?”

Put another way: given the likelihood of other life forms, why don’t any of them ever show themselves?

Why I Looked It Up

I don’t remember. I just had it in my notes.

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