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Information-driven societies and Fermi's paradox

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2013

Michael Lampton
Michael Lampton*
Affiliation:
Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA e-mail: mlampton@SSL.berkeley.edu
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Abstract

Fermi's paradox is founded on the idea that one or more Galactic extraterrestrial civilizations (ETCs) existed long ago and sustained exploration for millions of years, but in spite of their advanced knowledge, they could not find a way to explore the Galaxy other than with fleets of starships or self replicating probes. Here, I question this second assumption: if advanced technology generally allows long-distance remote sensing, and if ETCs were motivated by gaining information rather than conquest or commerce, then such voyages would be unnecessary, thereby resolving Fermi's paradox.

Keywords

extraterrestrial civilizationsFermi's paradoxinformation societies
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Astrobiology , Volume 12 , Issue 4 , October 2013 , pp. 312 - 313
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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