T he very first or one of the very first candidates for the great filter is the first instance of the genesis of organic matter. In case of earth, two prominent candidates that come out on top as the answers to this question are 'panspermia' and 'abiogenesis'. Both of these questions answer many questions and give rise to many others. One important thing to keep in mind is that these two are competing theories only in case of earth. If we consider the universe as a whole abiogenesis has the potential to answer the question how does life start anywhere? This will be more clear as we discuss these in more detail in this article. In this article we will briefly see both the concepts and some of the intriguing possibilities arsing from them. Also, we will see how this ties up with the great filter hypothesis and the rarity of life in the universe.  Panspermia The word ' panspermia ' is derived from the Greek words "Pan" meaning all and "Sperma" m...

  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 as...