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.
