Given your particular situation, you might say yes. But I’m asking about the galactic zoo. I recently read an article about the galactic zoo hypothesis as a possible explanation for the Fermi Paradox. The Fermi paradox is the one that posits ‘if the universe is full of aliens, why haven’t we met them yet’ … except more scientific than my paraphrasing.
The galactic zoo hypothesis suggests either that they visited and weren’t too impressed, so they put up giant hazard cones around our area of space or that we’re actual zoo attractions — don’t feed the humans. I’ve seen both interpretations.
Reading the article got me thinking about a couple of books I’ve read this year (or late last). Though they’re very different, both books had similar core premises of us either justifying our continued existence in the universe (Space Opera) or justifying us continuing to live on Earth (A Half-Built Garden). Both very interesting, but I wonder if the aliens would take a look be more like “no, I think no, we’ll just put up a this section of the galaxy is out of service sign”.
However, the idea that we’re living in a zoo would make an interesting story idea. I’m sure someone has already done it. What if a zoo visitor crash landed, or they tried to rattle the cage to get a response?
What do you think? Are we living in a cage in a galactic zoo? An interstellar no-go zone? Or that the universe is a great waste of space?
While you’re pondering those not-so-deep thoughts, Armchair Alien is having a celebration — we finally finished our About Us page! Okay, we also both have new books coming out. Check it out:
I guess that’s also my writing update — book 3 in The Lyra Cycle is dropping soon! While you’re waiting, you can read Kandi’s origin story, if you haven’t already. It’s the latest free fiction from Armchair Alien.
Happy reading!
— CR
Where to find my books
If you’d like to read any of my scifi or urban fantasy books, you can find them at your favourite online retailers. Or you can buy them direct from me on the Armchair Alien store.
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