If the universe is teeming with aliens ... WHERE IS EVERYBODY? : seventy-five solutions to the Fermi paradox and the problem of extraterrestrial life /

If the universe is teeming with aliens ... WHERE IS EVERYBODY? : seventy-five solutions to the Fermi paradox and the problem of extraterrestrial life /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Webb, Stephen, author.
Edition:Second edition.
Imprint:Cham : Springer, 2015.
©2015
Description:1 online resource (xv, 434 pages) : illustrations (some color).
Language:English
Series:Science and fiction, 2197-1188
Science and fiction (Springer (Firm))
Subject:
Fermi, Enrico, -- 1901-1954.
Fermi, Enrico, -- 1901-1954.
Fermi's paradox.
Life on other planets.
Fermi's paradox.
Life on other planets.
Format: E-Resource Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/11094041
Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:9783319132365
3319132369
3319132350
9783319132358
9783319132358
Digital file characteristics:text file PDF
Notes:Includes bibliographical references and index.
Online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed May 28, 2015).
Summary: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.
Other form:Printed edition: 9783319132358
Print version: Webb, Stephen. If the universe is teeming with aliens ... where is everybody? Second edition. [Cham] : Springer, [2015] 3319132350
Standard no.:10.1007/978-3-319-13236-5
Review by Choice Review

The title refers to a paradox famously stated by physicist Enrico Fermi. This is a revision of the author's 2002 book (CH, Mar'03, 40-3987) in which he proposed 50 solutions to the paradox; here he lists 75. They fall into three general categories: "They Are (or Were) Here," "They Exist, But We Have Yet to See or Hear from Them," and "They Don't Exist." There are 397 notes and 21 pages of references. The arguments are engaging, clearly reasoned, and accessible to general readers. There are many wonderful quotes ("Chance is perhaps God's pseudonym when he does not want to sign"--Anatole France) and anecdotes (a giant African snail pulling a DVD could exceed all current "last mile" communications technologies in efficiency). As with all excellent books on extraterrestrial intelligence, readers gain greater insight into what being human means ("We're searching for ourselves"). Physicist Webb concludes that humans may well be the only civilization in the galaxy, a possibility that Astronomer Royal Martin Rees describes in the foreword as entitling humans to be less "cosmically modest." This is one of the best books ever written on the subject of extraterrestrial intelligence. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. --Timothy Barker, Wheaton College (MA)

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review

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