"First in, last out" solution to the Fermi Paradox

TL;DR

This paper proposes a simple, rarely discussed solution to the Fermi Paradox, suggesting that extraterrestrial civilizations might have a 'first in, last out' expansion pattern, implying a bleak future for humanity.

Contribution

It introduces a trivial yet overlooked solution to the Fermi Paradox that predicts a grim future for our civilization, challenging common assumptions.

Findings

The Fermi Paradox has a simple solution based on galactic expansion patterns.

This solution implies a potential future of human civilization worse than extinction.

The proposed solution is rarely discussed but logically consistent.

Abstract

No present observations suggest a technologically advanced extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) has spread through the galaxy. However, under commonplace assumptions about galactic civilization formation and expansion, this absence of observation is highly unlikely. This improbability constitutes the Fermi Paradox. In this paper, I argue that the Paradox has a trivial solution, requiring no controversial assumptions, which is rarely suggested or discussed. However, that solution would be hard to accept, as it predicts a future for our own civilization that is even worse than extinction.