Grab some Tylenol and some wine because this shit might hurt your head and fuck with it. 😂 This shit is about to be long, but interesting.

The Great Filter Theory is a part of the Fermi Paradox. People wonder why we've had radio silence from our neighbors in the galaxy. According to scientists there should be endless civilizations like our own and higher. We should at least be picking up radio waves from outer space. Scientists all over the board disagree on the Fermi Paradox so we'll do this in groups but first, I'll have to explain a few things.

Type I Civilization-Has the ability to use all energy in the planet.

Type II Civilization-Has the ability to harness the energy of the host star.

Type III Civilization-Has the ability to harness the energy comparable to that of the entire Milky Way Galaxy (this one hurts my brain to think about). And the thought process is if life can exist to get to this point, surely they'd master travelling to different places in the universe.

Now back to the groups and the Fermi Paradox.

Group 1: There is no sign of higher civilizations because there are none. Since math and figures far beyond my level of comprehension says there should be higher levels of civilization, scientists say there must be something going on. This is where the Great Filter theory comes in.

The great filter theory says that at some point life hits a wall where its nearly impossible to get past. Meaning life hits the self destruct button. This means one of three things. In the words of a website I'm going to cite, "We're rare, we're first, or we're fucked."

1. We're rare. The great filter is behind us. 

This theory suggests that we're special and the rare ones to surpass the Great Filter. It explains why there are no Type III civilizations. I highly doubt this one. I highly doubt we're that special, but observation special effect suggests anyone pondering their own rarity and specialty will find that they are. I don't buy it.

2. We're first.

Exactly what it sounds like. We're the first intelligent civilization since the big bang. We, as well as other life forms may be on our way to becoming super intelligent life forms and civilizations. There's an example that makes this theory realistic. Gamma ray bursts have been spotted in the distance of the galaxy. Could be that the universe was too volatile to sustain other life or allow life to grow into intelligent being.

3. We're fucked.

Again, exactly what it sounds like. We're headed straight towards the Great Filter.

Group 2: There are Type II and Type III civilizations out there and there are logical reasons why we haven't heard from them.

This group takes on the thinking that there is nothing special or first about us or our solar system. There are 10 different explanations on why we haven't heard from other life forms listed on this website.

1. They visited before we were here.

2. We live in a rural part of the galaxy.

3. So advanced they have everything they need and have zero interest in leaving their happy planet.

4. More dangerous life forms out there which keep other life forms from broadcasting and exposing their whereabouts. (The reason we debate about sending out messages. Stephen Hawking believes if aliens come to this planet, it will be comparable to what Columbus did.)

5. Super predator life forms killing off everyone else.

6. Our technology is too primitive to pick up advanced waves so we're listening for the wrong things.

7. Government is hiding activity from other intelligent life.

8. Other life forms are simply observing us (also known as Zoo hypothesis)

9. We can't perceive them. (Don't entirely understand this one)

10. We're wrong about our reality. (This one trips me out the most)

Here's the link to the website I got all this info from: https://waitbutwhy.com/2014/05/fermi-paradox.html

Or you can type in "the Great Filter Theory" and go bananas with your research.

What are your thoughts on this and what do you believe?

Honestly, after reading this... I have no idea what to believe. I'm reeling.