Why we might be alone in the Universe

There are trillions upon trillions of stars and worlds in our Universe. Faced with such large numbers, it's tempting to conclude that there must surely be other life out there, somewhere. But is this right? Could the probability of life beginning be a number so small that we are alone? A video essay by Professor David Kipping.

Further reading and resources:

Video materials used:

Films clips used:
► Star Trek: The Next Generation
► Them! (1953)

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THANKS FOR WATCHING!!

[CoolWorldsLab]

So you now know how I answer the question “do you think we’re alone?” - but how about you? ;-) thanks for watching guys!

[JCNL]

At least it would explain why Earth keeps winning Miss Universe every year

[foley]

If you’re right and we’re the only ones out there, it makes it all the more tragic with what we do to each other.

[FrogknightAk]

I love how he was able to take the sadness of possibly being absolutley alone in the universe and turn it into romanticism and a perspective of profound beauty.
Always well spoken!

[davidtatro]

I think this was the most profound, most honest, and most beautiful video I've ever seen on this topic.

[darkerorc]

I just wanted to say thank you for inspiring my father. Hes 65 and has always love space and science ever since I was alive-he actually told me to watch this, said it was his "favorite yt video". It helped breathe new life into him. He said "the last part is my favorite. I watch it all the time."-
He has been struggling with addiction for the past few years since my grandparents passed away and he had to retire from a back injury on the job.; but your last sentiment "that makes us special and incredibly rare like diamonds." It really touched his heart.
Thank you so much for helping give my father new life <3 <3 <3

[AlexKasper]

"Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying." - Arthur C. Clarke

[sanpol]

Ironically, one of the things that makes me respect a scientist is when he says :
_I don't know !

[kerstinschwarz]

If we really are that special, it makes it so much more tragic and sadder how we are destroying ourselves and other lifeforms currently around.

[davidlucey]

Even if there is other life, the distance makes all of it effectively isolated.

[gordon]

If we really are are alone just think how lucky we are to be alive.

[TheColonelKlink]

"I don't know" is the beginning of wisdom. A brilliant presentation. Thank you.

[shawna.]

Such a intriguing & profound video that gives one a lot to think about. I appreciated the part saying it’s ok to admit when we don’t know something.
I’ve always thought given the # of galaxies, stars etc life is likely elsewhere, however recently I’ve been much more conscience & appreciate what life had to go through to be here today & it’s simply remarkable. One of the best quotes all time “either we are alone in the universe or we aren’t, either answer is terrifying”

[benthelearner]

Wow, you are one of the rare speaker on Youtube to speak slowly. But I watch all the video. You are the proof that it is possible to do more slow pace video!

[popsrahul]

In my childhood, the very thought that "we are not alone" used to give me goosebumps. Now as an adult, the very thought that "we are alone" gives me more goosebumps....

[Blakefulable]

Man... as a 29 year old that's been walking a pretty lame existence for the past 8 years, this brought me to tears at the end. I spend so much time hating my life and hoping that something brings an end to it because I don't have the bottle to do it myself, but the ending of this video just brought me out of that temporarily, to the point that I had tears streaming down my face. If we're truly all there is, there's not a single monetary value you could place on what we're going through. If you could sell your "existence" (the existence which I hate so much a lot of the time, that I complain about, and feel excited to be over with) there is not an amount high enough that would put a fair value on it. If we're truly alone, it's the most valuable thing in the entire universe. I guess I mean, if there were ever electronic-non-physical beings that knew we existed, and could some how buy our existence to try it for themselves, to see how it truly feels to walk on a planet in a real human body, there is no amount that could buy it.

Crazy thought, and it's definitely shifted my view on things. Man I hope I start feeling like life is worth sticking out. I know life's a beautiful thing, I just can't bring myself to open my eyes and see it recently.

[outstandingcruise]

The last few minutes of the presentation touched me to my very most deepest core and humbled my perception of what my life is currently and what surrounds me daily.Truly makes me think that we should all find it in our human hearts and minds to respect and love one another unconditionally for as long as we have a breath in our bodies.We right here and right now are truly a living miracle.

[majinvegeta]

The way you narrate is perfect. You don't draw conclusions but instead let the viewer reach their own decisions with the info you give

[TriAngulumAudioStudios]

The reason I love your videos isnt because they are so wonderfully informational or well put together, they are, but it's not that at all. It is simply this, ALL your videos ALWAYS sparks my imagination and THAT is what makes them so wonderful! Thank you!

[BonkersHex]

I've always said this, that there doesn't necessarily have to be other life out there. I actually like that we might be unique, whereas others seem to be the other way out and want nothing more than other life out there.