The Odds of Finding Life and Love

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A cosmic love story, starring a guy named Carl Sagan

Love is a complicated combination of brain chemicals and behavior that scientists are only just beginning to figure out. And it's remarkable that in every society that we have looked at on Earth, romantic love exists. So if love is so universal, and there are 7 billion other people out there looking for it, why can it seem like it's so hard to find?

In this episode, we'll look at what we can learn about the search for love from the search for extraterrestrial life. We'll start with Enrico Fermi's paradox of why we haven't been contacted by any extraterrestrials yet, and then at Frank Drake's equation to estimate the number of civilizations that might exist in our galaxy (updated with current numbers). Finally, we'll meet a young lady named Ann and see if we can calculate how many special someones there might be out there for her. It's a cosmic love story!

Have an idea for an episode or an amazing science question you want answered? Leave a comment below!

Written and hosted by Joe Hanson

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[Michaelca]

I did the math and I got the square root of -1 or i...so i think it's imaginary.

[tasosplyr]

So, basically in order to find love, you have to lower your standards?

[jamesg]

I learned it is a mistake to go out looking for love. I found love only after I stopped looking for it. And you know it is the real thing because it comes from the most unlikely places. Not singles bars, or dating companies. It comes when you least expect it. Because that is when people are not being fake to try and impress someone who is also being fake to impress them right back

[captaintimcurry]

I did some number crunching and got a whopping 0. that really boosted my confidence :/

[brandobean]

I've always thought Drake's equation left out the "percentage of alien civilizations who are shy". These are aliens who could contact us, but opt not to for personal reasons.

[kxmode]

Drake's equation, still a better love story than Twilight

[chadwhite]

I really appreciate how you often reference the great Carl Sagan. I can see that he has been an enormous influence on you.

You are carrying on his legacy wonderfully. You put out entertaining, and thought provoking content. You are bringing science to the people just like he did.. Thank you so much. ;)

[NinjaGamesWorld]

Do a video on why it's ok to be smart

[georgeshady]

This video is the most depressing thing i've seen in a while

[JuiceBoxWizard]

Actually, you can't just put in the percentage of people who fit your preferred gender, you also need to calculate the percentage of that percentage whom you are the preferred gender of.

[dogiz]

The odds of finding life and love is: Shrek.

[LamboSavage]

So 1/9466 is her odds. She has to meet 9, 500 people to find one of her 871.

[picklesnorf]

So out of more than 8 million people there is only 800 possible relationships. I live in a town of only 60, 000. This makes me very sad.

[KawaiiCat]

I guess that is why most people find their special someone in college or work because they share almost the same things.

[neeks]

"Its a scientific guess" *the 7th grader in me pops out. "Its a hypothesis!!!*

[besmart]

I took a poll on Facebook and Twitter and averaged the responses. Some people were super picky (2%) and some weren't (50%), so it's pretty variable

[Salvage]

I only love myself in this life. So, that should keep things simple.

[TundraMouse]

just because somebody isn't interested in the same things as you or has different political views doesn't mean you aren't right for each other or that you shouldn't pursue them. all human relationships are about how you connect, not what things you like or don't like.

[alyannajeserencejesoro]

The lower the expectation, the higher the possible number of 'special someone'

[freshofftheufo]

This episode really made me smile. Thanks!