According to the best predictions, the universe may be teeming with life of one sort or another. Modelling suggests that evolutionary processes should have produced intelligent life from this happy crop, even within our own little cosmic backyard. Over 50 years ago, The SETI project pioneered the scientific search for intelligent extra-terrestrials, though there has been a curious and abiding silence over that time. Most recently folks working in this field have started to wonder where all the aliens are, given the apparent plethora of potentially habitable solar systems.

Amongst the many theories that abound over the causes of this grave cosmic silence, one in particular caught my attention. Creatures evolve over a long period of time and as best we know, in competition with each other. One species may become dominant (as in humans on Earth) and develop to a point where they achieve genuine technological significance (cue humans again). At some stage though, the technology becomes advanced to the point where the civilization destroys itself. And there is us again, maybe.

The trick is getting through this technological ceiling and surviving, which suggest a significant element of ethical and moral growth and perhaps some good luck. There are lots of reasons why I don't think our species will survive the journey past the age we are at this moment transitioning, though I do hope, for all the children and their children, and beyond, that we do.

For a much fuller and more lucid discussion of Where are all the aliens? go to this excellent article:

http://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/fermi-paradox.html