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Us being (one of) the first species is the most likely answer IMO. It violates the anthropic principle, but that doesn't account for everything. By all estimat

Us being (one of) the first species is the most likely answer IMO. It violates the anthropic principle, but that doesn't account for everything. By all estimates of the age and expected lifespan of the universe, we are extremely close to the beginning of all existence. We know that life takes an extremely long time to evolve, and life on Earth is young compared to the age of the system. That we don't see a sprawling galactic civilization means one thing: there hasn't been enough time for one to emerge. All the great filter arguments fall apart when you consider the nearly infinite nature of the universe. Given enough life supporting planets, at least one species would emerge, pass the great filters, and become large enough for us to observe. That we don't see anything just means no one is there, yet. Being alone in this universe would be terrifying and frankly untenable. Being first, however, is exciting. I doubt that we are the first and only life in this universe, but it seems obvious that we are very, very early in the life of the universe, and we therefore are one of the first species to ask this question.

thrown1212 4y ago
It violates nothing. Your intuitions are expanded at length here http://grabbyaliens.com http://grabbyaliens.com
- rolenthedeep 4y ago
  The anthropic principle would hold that we as a species and our circumstances of existence are entirely average and not at all special. Being one of the first species, at the relative dawn of the universe is very special. I'm not such a huge fan of the grabby alien model. It's internally logically consistent, but I think it's too rooted in human psychology. Plus I have serious doubts about the ability of any species to maintain a multi-planet empire, let alone a multi-system one. Barring something like a hive mind I suppose. Ultimately it's just conjecture and we'll probably never know within our lifetimes.
booleandilemma 4y ago
we are extremely close to the beginning of all existence This is the one that always causes me to wonder. I was born in a major metropolitan area, which makes sense, statistically. I'm a native speaker of the 3rd largest language on the planet. That also makes sense. The 3rd largest country by population. Nothing out of the ordinary statistically speaking. But to exist extremely close to the beginning of all existence Huh? What are the chances that I, or any of us, would exist now? It's like being born on some island in the Pacific. Sure, it happens, but only to a few.
- rolenthedeep 4y ago
  It really is nothing short of wondrous and awe-inspiring. We could very well be one of the first species on the galactic stage, how absolutely awesome is that??

thrown1212 4y ago

It violates nothing. Your intuitions are expanded at length here http://grabbyaliens.com http://grabbyaliens.com

rolenthedeep 4y ago
The anthropic principle would hold that we as a species and our circumstances of existence are entirely average and not at all special. Being one of the first species, at the relative dawn of the universe is very special. I'm not such a huge fan of the grabby alien model. It's internally logically consistent, but I think it's too rooted in human psychology. Plus I have serious doubts about the ability of any species to maintain a multi-planet empire, let alone a multi-system one. Barring something like a hive mind I suppose. Ultimately it's just conjecture and we'll probably never know within our lifetimes.

booleandilemma 4y ago

we are extremely close to the beginning of all existence This is the one that always causes me to wonder. I was born in a major metropolitan area, which makes sense, statistically. I'm a native speaker of the 3rd largest language on the planet. That also makes sense. The 3rd largest country by population. Nothing out of the ordinary statistically speaking. But to exist extremely close to the beginning of all existence Huh? What are the chances that I, or any of us, would exist now? It's like being born on some island in the Pacific. Sure, it happens, but only to a few.

rolenthedeep 4y ago
It really is nothing short of wondrous and awe-inspiring. We could very well be one of the first species on the galactic stage, how absolutely awesome is that??