Hello readers, this is my first article of 2021 and I couldn't resist myself from going back to one of my favorite topics, the great filter. In this article, I want to discuss about the so called 'great filter'. In the context of the Fermi Paradox and the mind boggling rarity of intelligent (or even basic) life on planets outside our own, a concept of the 'great filter' was thought of. In simple terms, the filters are some challenges put forward by the universe for any kind of life to develop.
As originally proposed by Robin Hanson, there are many steps in the path of evolution. One or more of these steps are so improbable that the genesis of life from dead matter is almost impossible elsewhere. However, all the steps discussed in the original paper in a sense challenges thrown by the universe or mother nature. I think one more challenge is present which is intrinsic and is purely originating in the human consciousness. This 'great filter' is closely associated to the section named 'rethinking the social theories'.
In this article I wish to introduce you to the concept of the great filter, what events were (or are) thought of as great filters, how it plays an important role in the development of life, and finally, are we currently in a great filter? Finally, and most importantly, can human consciousness also be an intrinsic filter?
In conclusion of his paper, Dr Hanson says,
No alien civilizations have substantially colonized our solar system or systems nearby. Thus among the billion trillion stars in our past universe, none has reached the level of technology and growth that we may soon reach. This one data point implies that a Great Filter stands between ordinary dead matter and advanced exploding lasting life. And the big question is: How far along this filter are we?In the same paper Dr Hanson lists some steps which we humans took in our path of evolution and also explains how improbable or hard they were to achieve. The list begins with finding the right solar system, formation of first biological molecule and ends with a development of civilization capable of colonizing the universe.
As one goes on reading the paper further one realizes that these steps are incredibly difficult to happen. Even if there is another path to evolution those steps will be similarly improbable or harder.
In my opinion the list is missing one very important factor and that is the development of consciousness. Because, however improbable, we humans have walked very far that path of evolution and have reached a stage where we are dreaming of terraforming mars and other celestial bodies in our own solar system. Along with humans, there are billions of other species that call this planet home. They have evolved too for millions of years. Many of them have been on this earth for eons more than humans do. The only thing that differentiates us from them is the development of consciousness.
This consciousness has given us an ability to question everything around us including the very nature of reality. However, this is a double edged sword as this consciousness can entangle our mind in the problems stemming from consciousness and can deter us from the goal of colonizing the universe.
If you see around the world, human beings are overly attached to the earthly pleasures and problems. We have given too much importance to the illusion of money. This has created a comfort zone for humans and created an ultimate goal of ruling this world when there is a literally infinite universe remains unexplored. Another aspect is the difficulty in becoming a space faring civilization. We can say as much as we can that we want to colonize universe the fact remains that it is an extremely difficult feat to achieve. A combination of these two factors has put a glass ceiling to achievements of humanity. The consciousness plays a great role in this glass ceiling. Inherently, it cuts the desire to achieve the nearly improbable feat and makes humans complacent.
To sum up, what if there are many civilizations as advanced as us but are sufficiently spaced apart. Like us, they are overly attached to their planet's pleasures and problems and for them as well the space travel (to colonize) remains a nearly impossible feat. Ultimately, their desire to rule their planet overpowers the desire to leave the home planet for universe's exploration. If this is the case, then the great filter really lies within the human consciousness and not in universe's conditions or other steps of evolution.
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