Read by Petunia Harris

The question of why we have yet to discover extraterrestrial life remains one of the most profound mysteries in science. Despite decades of research, powerful telescopes, and countless efforts to detect signals from distant worlds, the universe has remained eerily silent. This paradox has led scientists and thinkers to develop a range of theories that attempt to explain why humanity appears to be alone in the cosmos. One of the most well-known ideas is the Fermi Paradox, which questions why, given the vastness of the universe and the high probability of other life forms, we have yet to encounter any signs of intelligent beings. The paradox highlights a troubling disconnect between the presumed abundance of alien civilizations and our complete lack of evidence for their existence. This has spurred a wave of speculation, ranging from the possibility that advanced civilizations self-destruct before they can communicate, to the unsettling notion that extraterrestrials deliberately avoid contact with less advanced species. Technological limitations may also play a role in this silence. While humanity has made significant strides in space exploration and communication technologies, our methods may be inadequate for detecting extraterrestrial signals. The vastness of space presents enormous challenges, with signals potentially becoming too weak or distorted to identify by the time they reach Earth. Furthermore, the technology alien civilizations may use to communicate could be entirely different from our own, rendering our search methods ineffective

Mode of access: World Wide Web