Space/Science — HabitableZone

Space/Science

A novel solution to Fermi's Paradox
ljk — (archived)

One intriguing solution to the Fermi paradox appears in Karl Schroeder's novel Permanence (New York: Tor Books, 2002). Using a hypothesis from evolutionary biology called 'adaptationism,' Schroeder's protagonist argues that consciousness is not necessarily required for toolmaking. "In fact, consciousness appears to be a phase. No species we have studied has retained what we could call self-awareness for its entire history. Certainly none has evolved into some state above consciousness."

This view is so strikingly at variance with our conventional view of the universe that it brings most readers (including this one) up short. Astronomer Milan M. Æirkoviæ (Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade), who discusses Schroeder's work in a recent issue of the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, puts the case this way: "...our estimates and expectations of the phenomenon of intelligence...are wrong. Intelligence is significant only insofar as it offers an evolutionary advantage, a meaningful response to the selective pressure of the fluctuating environment. Only so far, and no further is the 'selfish gene' willing to carry that piece of luggage."

http://www.centauri-dreams.org/2005.08.07_arch.html#1123851983474

http://www.centauri-dreams.org/

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