A Less Terrifying Universe? Mundanity as an Explanation for the Fermi Paradox
2025/09/26 by Robin H. D. Corbet, R. H. D. Corbet, Corbet, Robin H. D. · 7 voices
Physics and Astronomy · #astro-ph.IM
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2509.22878
Abstract
Applying a principle of "radical mundanity", this paper examines explanations for the lack of strong evidence for the presence of technology-using extraterrestrial civilizations (ETCs) in the Galaxy - the Fermi paradox. With this principle, the prospect that the Galaxy contains a modest number of civilizations is preferred, where none have achieved technology levels sufficient to accomplish large-scale astro-engineering or lack the desire to do so. This consideration also leads to the expectation that no ETC will colonize a large fraction of the Galaxy, even using robotic probes, and that there are no long-duration high-power beacons. However, there is a reasonable chance that we may make contact on a short, by historical standards, timescale. This event would be momentous, but could still leave us slightly disappointed. Such a Universe would be less terrifying than either of the two possibilities in the quote generally attributed to Arthur C. Clarke on whether we are alone or not. Also, if there is a modest number of ETCs in the Galaxy, that would suggest that there is a large number of planets with some form of life.
Discussions
- A Less Terrifying Universe? Mundanity as an Explanation for the Fermi Paradox [hn, 5 points, 1 comments]
- New Publication at the Open Journal of Astrophysics: "A Less Terrifying Universe? Mundanity as an Explanation for the Fermi Paradox" by Robin H.D. Corbet (U. Maryland, USA)
doi.org/10.33232/001... [bsky, 3 points, 0 comments]
- ARXIV of the month: "A Less Terrifying Universe? Mundanity as an Explanation for the Fermi Paradox" arxiv.org/pdf/2509.22878 "none have achieved technology levels sufficient to accomplish large-scale as [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]
- Here's the paper by Robin HD Corbet of Nasa. It's short and non-astrophysicists can understand it. Enjoy. Even the abstract is good. arxiv.org/abs/2509.22878 [bsky, 1 points, 0 comments]
- Best title for an academic paper this week: "A Less Terrifying Universe? Mundanity as an Explanation for the Fermi Paradox" Read it here: arxiv.org/pdf/2509.22878 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
- "paper" which is more like a little kid's homework assignment than a scholarly effort. arxiv.org/abs/2509.22878 [bsky, 0 points, 1 comments]
- A Less Terrifying Universe? Mundanity as an Explanation for the Fermi Paradox arxiv.org/abs/2509.22878 [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]
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