Chapter 189: The Great Filter? I Don't Agree.

"Yes, as everyone can see, our current situation in the universe is indeed lonely."

"Some might say that the fermi paradox theorem tells us that human civilization is the only one in the universe."

"Do you all accept this answer?"

He posed the question, and the experts and audience members shook their heads one after another, expressing that it was difficult to accept.

If this were the answer, it would mean today's science popularization and decoding were all for naught, so naturally, they wouldn't accept it.

Facing the camera, Jiang Zhe nodded slightly. "Yes, no one accepts that answer."

"In the last century, when Fermi's colleague helped him propose this paradox, Fermi reached the inference that Earth's civilization is the only civilization in the universe."

"Why does everyone think this is a terrifying inference instead of exclaiming joyfully, [Nice, that means we have the chance to evolve into the universe's first god-level civilization]?"

"That is because Fermi was not arrogant; on the contrary, he was very humble!"

"It was precisely because he was so humble that he reached this terrifying inference: human civilization is lonely in the universe."

"What Fermi meant at the time was that given the vast age of the universe, the time human civilization has existed is incredibly short!"

"The universe has had more than enough time for at least one other Earth-like civilization to appear. Therefore, the universe shouldn't contain only Earth's civilization, especially since current observations show there are many, many habitable planets in the universe."

"From a macroscopic perspective, given the universe's age, those habitable planets should have long been filled with all sorts of civilizations. Interstellar routes should be as busy as the skies over the Pacific Ocean."

"But there is nothing—absolutely nothing. The universe is a vast expanse of emptiness."

"Faced with this phenomenon of cosmic emptiness, Robin Hanson proposed a theory: The Great Filter. It means—"

"Perhaps every civilization in the universe encounters a terrifying event when it reaches a specific stage of development!"

"This terrifying event could be a virus that wipes out the species, or a natural disaster that destroys the race."

"In short, The Great Filter points to the idea that once a civilization reaches a specific stage, it will perish, never developing to the point of making friends across galaxies."

At this point, Jiang Zhe asked with a serious expression, "Please type the name of this disaster on the public screen—the various disasters that prevent intelligent civilizations from surpassing the interstellar stage."

As the explanation concluded, a massive wave of bullet comments surged in.

"Natural disasters, man-made calamities?"

"I think it's war. When a society develops to a certain point, it enters a period of destruction; I think it's nuclear war."

"On a cosmic scale, there are things much stronger than nuclear weapons. It could be a war using another type of weapon, mainly aimed at redistributing limited resources."

"..."

Both the experts and the public voiced the end for intelligent civilizations: destruction.

This destruction targets intelligent civilizations rather than being a natural process.

This implies that for anyone possessing intelligence, that intelligence can only last for a certain number of years.

When that intelligence reaches the critical point of civilizational progress, the intelligent civilization must perish!

Professor Zhuang proposed a viewpoint.

"Perhaps The Great Filter specifically refers to the [Speed of Light] and the [periodic table of elements]."

"Once a civilization enters a certain stage, its outward exploration will ultimately be restricted by the [Speed of Light]."

"The [periodic table of elements] locks away the possibility of intelligent civilizations synthesizing new elements. Currently, our human civilization is locked by the [Speed of Light] and the super-heavy elements in the [Periodic Table]. Even if we synthesize new elements, we cannot make them exist for long. If they don't exist, there is no new science and technology."

"Besides that, there are [Material] limitations. These are the true culprits locking intelligent civilizations within their home star systems!"

Speaking to himself at this point, Professor Zhuang carefully recalled the specific steps and details of The Great Filter—

1: A suitable planetary system (existence of organic matter and potentially habitable planets).

2: Self-replicating molecules (such as RNA).

3: Simple (prokaryotic) single-celled life.

4: Complex (eukaryotic) single-celled life.

5: Sexual reproduction.

6: Multi-cellular life.

7: Animals with large brain capacity that use tools.

8: The current stage of humanity.

9: Interstellar colonial expansion.

Professor Zhuang looked pensive.

These are nine steps similar to the birth of human life; each one is indispensable.

The nine stages are the starting point for the birth of life.

For a civilization, at least one stage is difficult to achieve.

Whatever factor at whatever step prevents the final realization of the ninth stage is called the 'Great Filter'.

The first question worthy of human concern is exactly where The Great Filter takes effect.

If it is located before the 8th step, humans can rejoice that they have already pulled through, and a bright future awaits.

Since Earth could do it, there is no reason to believe other habitable planets wouldn't reach the human stage or even further.

If that civilization happens to be between the 8th and 9th steps, it means they are exactly like Earth's civilization, which further means: the life-and-death test for that civilization is still to come!

Currently, no other civilization has been found to have reached the 9th step. Perhaps humans should not be too optimistic about their own fate.

After finishing his thoughts, Professor Zhuang looked at The Great Filter theory on the laptop before him and couldn't help but sigh, "Humanity is currently hovering between stages eight and nine; we haven't reached the end yet!"

To the side, Zhou Qing and Zhou Qingqing glanced at each other, both remaining silent.

Humanity will encounter major problems during interstellar colonial expansion, which is one of the reasons a civilization is highly likely to reach its end.

Zhou Qing sent the previous remarks on behalf of Professor Zhuang into the livestream room.

Soon, it received agreement from a massive number of viewers.

"Right, right, right. The Speed of Light—the Speed of Light limits our outward travel completely, and the periodic table of elements locks human technology away just as tightly."

"Eight to nine... we humans are at the eighth stage. Is it certain that bad news will arrive when we reach the ninth stage?"

"It is certain, but we don't know what kind of bad news. There's a high probability it's what Professor Zhuang mentioned: [Speed of Light], [periodic table of elements], and [Materials]."

"But that's not right. Didn't Teacher Jiang mention Warp Drives before? If we build a Warp Drive, we can leave this star system and won't need to worry about the ninth option!"

"But that's just theoretical. Whether humans, or even aliens, can actually build one is also theoretical!"

"Exactly. What if every civilization in the universe is like us—having many hypotheses but simply being unable to build them? What would you say then?"

"This... if it's like that, we'll enter the endgame of The Great Filter: extinction!"

"Precisely. That's why The Great Filter theory is so despairing!"

"..."

The people who previously didn't understand The Great Filter much felt despair and confusion after reading about it.

This was an existing theory in this world, and it was widely accepted.

Discussing the fermi paradox was inseparable from Robin Hanson's "The Great Filter" theory.

At this moment, Jiang Zhe spoke again to explain.

"The Great Filter theory, theoretically speaking, locks down the future of humanity."

"Just as the bullet comment sent by Professor Zhuang said: the Speed of Light plus the periodic table of elements plus materials."

"The Speed of Light locks away the possibility of intelligent civilizations exploring outward."

"The periodic table of elements locks away the technology of intelligent civilizations. Our current technology hasn't even finished utilizing all the usable elements in the periodic table. When the day comes that we have used every possible permutation and combination of elements in the periodic table, there will be no new elements to use. At that point, I am very sorry, but the resources within this star system likely won't be able to support the continued growth of that intelligent civilization's technology tree."

"It can be said that future technology is limited to these elements. The consequence of being unable to break through these elements is: extinction."

"This can also be understood as another kind of [Great Filter]."

"And [Materials] are equally important."

"Without materials, there are no new technological devices."

Having reached this point in his narration, Jiang Zhe pondered for a moment before continuing his explanation:

"Since the path outward is locked, is there a type of inward-facing technology? Using existing equipment to create new equipment that grants us eternal life?"

Facing the camera, he didn't even hesitate and said bluntly:

"Naturally, there is."