Rethinking the Rarity of Intelligent Life in the Universe

In a new and controversial study, scientists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences suggest that the conditions necessary for the existence of intelligent life beyond Earth may be far less common than previously thought. This study reshapes our understanding of the likelihood of advanced civilizations in the universe.

The Necessity of Tectonic Plates and Carbon Dioxide

Tectonic plates play a crucial role in regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide levels through the carbon-silicate cycle. This process is essential for maintaining the balance that allows for photosynthesis, which is the foundation of life as we know it. But what if tectonic plates were to disappear?

According to the study, the absence of tectonic plates could lead to the loss of carbon from the atmosphere, halting photosynthesis entirely. This is expected to occur on Earth in 200 million to a billion years, raising questions about the longevity of intelligent life.

An Atmosphere Suitable for Advanced Civilizations

An atmosphere dominated by nitrogen and oxygen is considered a fundamental requirement for the development of advanced civilizations. Oxygen is not only vital for biological processes but also crucial for technological development. Oxygen levels below 18% could prevent the use of fire, a tool that has been critical in the history of advanced tool development.

This brings us back to the question: how many planets in our galaxy have this type of atmosphere?

Estimating the Distance to Intelligent Civilizations

Using simulation models, researchers estimated that the nearest technologically advanced civilization might be about 33,000 light-years away from Earth. Moreover, that civilization would need to survive for at least 280,000 years to have a chance of synchronizing its existence with ours.

These figures make it clear that the probability of coexisting intelligent civilizations in the Milky Way is very slim.

Conclusion

Despite the pessimistic outlook presented by the study, researchers encourage the continued search for extraterrestrial intelligence, particularly through programs like SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). These entities may be rare, but the only way to find out is through persistent exploration. If these efforts yield no results, it supports the proposed theory; if other civilizations are discovered, it would be one of the greatest scientific discoveries in human history.