Why theano UFOs

On May 11, 2008, at 4:27 PM, Lucio de Souza Coelho wrote:

> Or maybe we simply don't have enough data to solve the Fermi paradox
> and that's why every new candidate hypothesis sounds embarrassingly
> unconvincing.
>

Obviously we don't have enough data, but that doesn't limit our
ability to generate hypotheses -- only our ability to test them.

If you find none of the hypotheses convincing, what's YOUR suggestion
then?

> It is interesting how the fears of each era shape those Fermi
> hypothesis.
>

Only in the details. All the possibilities you mention fall into the
general hypothesis of "every technological civilization kills
itself." (I agree with you that the details you mention seem far-
fetched, only because they're not reliable enough; the most likely
variant of this hypothesis is that some technology we haven't yet
discovered inevitably leads to destruction of the planet or solar
system.)

> Bah. Wake me up in the post-oil world running on nuclear and
> renewables. I am curious about what Fermi paranoia will become
> fashionable then.
>

I find your attitude unhelpful. The Fermi paradox is very real, and
very important. I'd place it among the top 5 most deep and important
mysteries of our age.

Best,
- Joe