Song of the Week:
Delicate Creature by: Igoi
ALiens, Aliens, Aliens
I have this vivid core memory from 5th grade — playing at recess with my homegirls when a boy approached us. I don’t remember how the conversation started, but I remember the feeling it left me with: Can we really be alone in the universe? And that is the fear of being alone on the grand scheme of the universe!
This question has haunted me ever since becoming one of my favorite Aquarian discussions — aliens. Of all philosophical debates out there, aliens and the Fermi Paradox stand out as the ultimate gateways into the world of conspiracy theories. This topic especially ignites my desire to learn all that science has to offer. Unluckily for me, science is that one subject that I can’t wrap my mind around.
Is This a Paradox?
But luckily enough for us there are people like Enrico Fermi, molecular a scientist in the 1950’s who love this kind of speculation. He is famous for working on the team with Oppenheimer and even winning a noble prize for his research in splitting and mixing atoms. He understood science at the tiniest level. With that depth of knowledge, he revealed the biggest paradox in history! At lunch with his colleagues of all places!
That all starts with speculations, such a humongous ordeal that it has its own time measurement, spanning 100,000 light years across. And if you didn’t pay attention in science like me, a light year is the distance light travels in one Earth year (365 days) therefore one it’s about, and I have to say about, 5.88 trillion miles! Just one singular light year! When I learn facts like this my first thought it who thought of that?! Seriously a different kind of genius. Furthermore, that clarifies the Milky Way still 99.99 percent unexplored and I get why.
Fermi Paradox is only 6 statements. Statements that do depend on highly likely speculation since we don’t have factual proof. However, this speculation still remains unrefusable because of its plausibility:
1. We know the Milky Way is filled with hundreds of billions of stars. And of the hundred billions there are billions of those stars are similar to the Sun which support life on Earth.
2. It highly likely that some of those stars will have planets similar to Earth, Similar molecular components that are also similar distance their star as to Earth is to the Sun and use energy from the stars the same way our Earth does.
3. We can assume by the Copernican principle that states Earth is not special. And if Earth is not special then, intelligent species should exist on some Earth-like planets as well.
4. Some intelligent species might develop advanced technology. Including technology that can allow travelling through space.
5. In the current compacity of human technology interstellar travel in theory would take millennials to traverse the 100,000-light year across the Milky Way. Since there are other Sun-like stars, that have been around longer than our Sun- billions of years- the time for other species to perfect this traverse technology far beyond our own.
6. Given all these factors why we haven’t met any aliens yet? Or seen anything when we observe space? Can it be that we are the only ones in the galaxy?
The Fermi Paradox challenges us to confront not just the vastness of the galaxy but also the unsettling possibility of other life forms. The thought of encountering extraterrestrial beings can be downright terrifying, stirring a deep sense of unease. Perhaps this fear stems from humanity’s own reputation when encountering new species on Earth—history hasn’t always been kind. It’s no surprise that this topic fuels countless science fiction stories and documentaries; it strikes at the very heart of what makes a compelling movie plot.
Cosmic Joke
While the question of alien life seems to boil down to two possibilities—either we are alone, or we are not—I believe it’s crucial to move beyond such binary thinking. It reminds me of being offered a simple yes-or-no choice when the reality could be far more complex. There might be a million plausible explanations. Some of my favorite theories include:
A) They saw what we’d done and immediately turned right back around.
B) They are watching us like a case study.
C) We are, in fact, alone in this galaxy—but they’re just living in the next one over.
In hindsight they could be mere silly responses yet, despite the speculation and the science, we remain in the dark. The more we learn about the vastness of space, the more we realize how little we know. And maybe that’s the most intriguing part of all—the idea that the universe is far stranger and more mysterious than we can ever imagine. Whether or not we ever find the answer, the pursuit of it pushes the boundaries of our knowledge and fuels our curiosity.
As an Aquarian, I find this search exhilarating, even if it leaves me with more questions than answers. My search for the answers, puts me down every rabbit hole about the universe being vast and indifferent. But the very act of wondering about it—about who else might be out there—is a profound mystery that won’t be solved until the day they come to Earth.
Give me a Sign
The day they finally make contact, I imagine Delicate Creature by Iogi playing softly in the background as they take their first steps for alien life form. The song’s gentle, rippling beat perfectly captures the tension and awe of such a moment, a build-up from calm to intense that mirrors the anticipation. The title itself couldn’t be more fitting—both for them and for us. The lyrics, too, seem to resonate with the profound encounter, touching on the vulnerability and wonder that would come with meeting an alien life form. It’s a confrontation that could redefine everything we know—about our scientific discoveries, our place in the cosmos, and the possibilities that lie beyond our galaxy. Until then, we remain in the thrilling suspense of the unknown, our imaginations fueled by the paradox that has captivated us for so long. And maybe, just maybe, when the time comes, we will be ready…?
Thank you for joining me on this journey at The Unfinished Times. Don’t forget to follow me for more insightful content, give a shout-out to spread the word, and consider signing up for our Co-Collective to be part of our vibrant community. And if you missed any posts from previous weeks, take a moment to catch up! Let’s continue exploring, sharing, and growing together! Lots of life-ing is happening, so all I ask is a bit of grace<3 See you in the next post~XOXO
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