Given the fact that there are perhaps 400 billion stars in our Galaxy alone, and perhaps 400 billion galaxies in the Universe, it stands to reason that somewhere out there, in the 14-billion-year-old cosmos, there is or once was a civilization at least as advanced as our own. The sheer enormity of the numbers almost demands that we accept the truth of this hypothesis. Why, then, have we encountered no evidence, no messages, no artifacts of these extraterrestrials? In this second, significantly revised and expanded edition of his widely popular book, Webb discusses in detail the (for now!) 75 most cogent and intriguing solutions to Fermi's famous paradox: If the numbers strongly point to the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations, why have we found no evidence of them?Reviews from the first edition:"Amidst the plethora of books that treat the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence, this one by Webb is outstanding. Each solution is presented in a very logical, interesting, thorough manner with accompanying explanations and notes that the intelligent layperson can understand. Webb digs into the issues by considering a very broad set of in-depth solutions that he addresses through an interesting and challenging mode of presentation that stretches the mind. An excellent book for anyone who has ever asked 'Are we alone?'." (W. E. Howard III, Choice, March, 2003)"Fifty ideas are presented that reveal a clearly reasoned examination of what is known as 'The Fermi Paradox'. For anyone who enjoys a good detective story, or using their thinking faculties and stretching the imagination to the limits 'Where is everybody' will be enormously informative and entertaining. Read this book, and whatever your views are about life elsewhere in the Universe, your appreciation for how special life is here on Earth will be enhanced! A worthy addition to any personal library." (Philip Bridle, BBC Radio, March, 2003)Since gaining a BSc in physics from the University of Bristol and a PhD in theoretical physics from the University of Manchester, Stephen Webb has worked in a variety of universities in the UK. He is a regular contributor to the Yearbook of Astronomy series and has published an undergraduate textbook on distance determination in astronomy and cosmology as well as several popular science books. His interest in the Fermi paradox combines lifelong interests in both science and science fiction.

Is beautifully written, concise, but thorough, interesting, and thought-provoking Gives a unique account of the Fermi paradox and its possible solutions Provides extensive information about sources and suggestions for further reading Connects insights from many scientific disciplines in an easy-to-follow way Much expanded and revised edition Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Following a first-class honours degree in Physics from the University of Bristol and a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Manchester Stephen Webb has worked at a number of UK universities. In addition to shorter works, he has published nine books - one of which won the SETI League award and was shortlisted for the Aventis Prize (now Royal Society Winton Prize) for best science book. He is active in outreach activities, having spoken at numerous international conferences, podcasts and radio shows, and his 2018 TED Talk has been viewed over 6 million times. He has published an undergraduate textbook Measuring the Universe - The Cosmological Distance Ladder (1999) as well as several popular science books, among them Out of this World - Colliding Universes, Branes, Strings, and Other Wild Ideas of Modern Physics in 2004, New Eyes on the Universe - Twelve Cosmic Mysteries and the Tools We Need to Solve Them in 2012, the second edition of If the Universe Is Teeming with Aliens ... WHERE IS EVERYBODY? Seventy-Five Solutions to the Fermi Paradox and the Problem of Extraterrestrial Life in 2015, All the Wonder that Would Be - Exploring Past Notions of the Future in 2017, and New Light Through Old Windows: Exploring Contemporary Science Through 12 Classic Science Fiction Tales in 2019 also published as part of Springer's Science and Fiction series, as well as recently, Clash of Symbols - A ride through the riches of glyphs.

Inhalt

Foreword.- Preface to the Second Edition.- Preface to the Third Edition.- Where is Everybody?.- Of Fermi and Paradox.- They are (or were) Here.- They Exist, But we Have Yet to See or Hear From Them.- They Don`t Exist.- Conclusion.- Notes.- References.- Index.