Random Fermi Paradox solution of the day:
Nobody goes into space and colonizes the galaxy because only Moon Nazis want to do that, and after experiencing a few dozen genocides all sapient species learn the safest thing to do when you see a Moon Nazi is to murder them immediately, it's the only way to avoid the genocides.
@cstross
Nobody goes into space and colonises their galaxy because it's an insane, incoherent goal with no possible return on the investment of energy and resources. Only civilisations infected by the Infinite Growth mind-virus pursue such goals, and their home planets … don't make it.
I sure hope our civilisation isn't throwing irrecoverable resources into a project that can definitely never pay for itself just to make the number go up for as long as possible.
@petealexharris @cstross I think that "colonizing" the galaxy is a reasonable goal, but the "problem" is that the rational way to go about it would take a lot longer than the age of the universe so far.
For the most part, interstellar probes can provide desired scientific exploration info about far away star systems, and these will not be very noticeable for us.
Space colonization makes most sense within a star system, with expansion to other star systems only making sense during close flybys.
@quoidian @isaackuo @petealexharris @cstross
Alt Text: "Two prehistoric fish like organisms peer out from the edge of a pool at an expanse of mud. One says to the other 'Even if we theoretically *could* adapt to breathing air I just don't see the business plan, what's the benefit?".
Or, perhaps: "Blessed Are Those Who Plant Trees Under Whose Shade They Will Never Sit."
@quoidian @isaackuo @petealexharris @cstross
If shown conclusively that there was no other life in the galaxy, and given a choice between:
A) health. wealth, happiness, and as long a life as I want to live
&
B) 1,000 years of horrible torture and pain in exchange for enough diverse Earth microbes being seeded on warm wet sterile rocks around nearby stars to have a good chance at forming new alien ecosystems.
Sign me up for the torture.
Charlie Stross
Pete Alex Harris🦡🕸️🌲/∞🪐∫
Isaac Ji Kuo
Larry
Steve Leach