Why have we not detected any other intelligent life? Are we alone?
Perhaps we are among the first intelligent life forms to arise because we evolved on a lucky planet.
There are many reasons why earth can be considered a lucky planet. From it's stability, because of it's location in both the solar system and the galaxy, to the optimal conditions for life water provides. But I want to focus on a not so optimal condition that may define earth as the lucky planet.
Scientists have detected periodic mass extinctions in the fossil record.
Every 26 million years a mass extinction event weeds out the weaker life forms, making room for the hardier forms to thrive and evolve.
3,800,000,000 / 26,000,000 = 146 events in the 3.8 billion years life has been evolving on this planet.
So:
1. Heads, we experience a mass extinction event that accelerates evolution.
2. Tails, we experience a mass extinction event that sends us back to square one.
We have thrown 146 heads in a row. Very lucky indeed.
Of course, this assumes that a totally stable environment will actually impede evolution.
