Avoiding the Great Filter: Extraterrestrial Life and Humanity s Future in the Universe

Abstract

Jonathan H. Jiang, Philip E. Rosen, Kelly Lu, Kristen A. Fahy, Piotr Obacz

Our Universe is a vast, tantalizing enigma - a mystery that has aroused humankind’s innate curiosity for ages. Begging answers to questions on alien lifeforms have been thus far unfruitful, even with bounding technological advancements of recent years. Coupled with logical assumptions and calculations such as those made by Dr. Frank Drake starting in the early 1960s, evidence of life should arguably exist in abundance in our galaxy alone, yet in practice we’ve produced no clear affirmation beyond our own planet. So, where is everybody? The silence of the Universe beyond Earth reveals a pattern of both human limitation and steadfast curiosity. Even as ambitious programs such as SETI take aim at the technological challenges involved, the results have thus far turned up empty for any signs of life. We postulate an existential disaster may lay in wait as civilizations advance exponentially towards space exploration, acting as the Great Filter: a phenomenon that wipes out civilizations before they can encounter each other, explaining the cosmic silence. We propose several possible scenarios for the Great Filter, including anthropogenic and natural hazards, both of which can be prevented with reforms in individual, institutional and intrinsic behaviors. Multiple calamity candidates are considered: nuclear warfare, pathogens and pandemics, artificial intelligence, meteor impacts, and climate change. The Great Filter has the potential to eradicate life on Earth, especially as our rate of progress correlates directly to the severity of our fall. A necessary period of introspection, followed by appropriate refinements to more effectively approach our predicament, is required to mitigate risk to humankind and the nearly 9 million other species on Earth.

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