April Swansea Science Cafe: The Fermi paradox, organised by Wales Gene Park

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The Swansea Science Cafe offers opportunities for anyone to find out more about new, exciting and topical areas of science. Designed to be informal and entertaining, the cafe typically runs on the last Wednesday of every month at the Dylan Thomas Centre. Entry is free and talks start at 7:30pm.

Title: The Fermi paradox         

Speaker: David Skibinski, Professor of Evolutionary Biology, Swansea University

Date: Wednesday 25th April 2012

Time: 7.30pm

Venue: The Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea

Admission: Free, all welcome

Event summary: The Universe is vast with millions of planets where intelligent life might evolve. So why aren't aliens visiting us all the time, or sending us signals?

This is known as the Fermi paradox after the Italian physicist Enrico Fermi who discussed the question in 1950.  The paradox is sometimes referred to as "The Great Silence".

Scores of theories have been put forward to explain the paradox.  Perhaps we are alone in the Universe? Perhaps aliens are here already but don't let on? Perhaps aliens are not interested in us? Perhaps aliens exist but are just too far away? Professor David Skibinski will review these theories and invite opinion on which of these seem most plausible.