Physicist Brian Cox has weighed in one of astronomy’s most curious questions: Given the high probability of extraterrestrial life existing in the endlessly massive universe, why haven’t we seen any clear evidence of it?
This question was first put forward by Italian physicist Enrico Fermi in the 1950s, in what’s now known as the Fermi paradox. He argued there’s a contradiction between the high probability of alien life existing and the total lack of hard evidence that intelligent life has ever evolved outside of Earth.
“Where is everybody?” he famously asked.
Well, Professor Cox thinks he might have the answer. But it isn’t too cheery.
According to the Sunday Times, Cox said: “One solution to the Fermi paradox is that it is not possible to run a world that has the power to destroy itself and that needs global collaborative solutions to prevent that.”
Yup, essentially there’s a chance aliens wipe themselves out via political turmoil before they ever become advanced enough to launch an interstellar exploration.
He went on to warn: “It may be that the growth of science and engineering inevitably outstrips the development of political expertise, leading to disaster. We could be approaching that position.”
Gulp.
Do you believe in alien life and/or UFOs? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and/or Instagram!
- 824Facebook
- 0Twitter
- 9Pinterest
- 0Mix
- 833shares
Join our list
Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.
Featured Video
More from Alien Contact
Area 51 Raid Will Be ‘Live Streamed’. Nearly 2,000,000 Are Going
Everyone is very curious about what is going to happen on September 20th when over a million people have promised to storm …
Bud Light offers free beer to any alien ‘that makes it out’ of Area 51
“Screw it. Free Bud Light to any alien that makes it out,” the tweet said. Bud Light then shared a photo of a …
Robbie Williams installs 24-hour security due to fears aliens might contact him
Robbie Williams installed "24-hour security" over fears about alien life contacting him. The Let Me Entertain You hitmaker insisted he has …
