Assuming that von Neumann was right, and assuming it's even technologically possible to achieve 1% of light speed, here's some alternative explanations of why we don't see aliens in the Milky Way:
- Maybe we're ahead of the race here. It's unlikely, but it has to be the truth for some intelligent lifeform. Why not us? I admit this is unlikely.
- Maybe galaxy exploration is technically feasible but economically unfeasible. Aliens would have to solve the same problems than us.
- Maybe galaxy exploration is technically and economically feasible, but the overwhelming majority of lifeforms go extinct before reaching this point, an none have been able so far (additional assumption: life is relatively new in the universe, much like it's relatively new on Earth itself).
- Maybe galaxy exploration is possible and evidence of life forms has reached us, but we didn't understand them because we weren't looking for the right things.
- Maybe galaxy exploration is possible and aliens want us to remain untouched and unaware, much like some wish would happen with lost Amazonian tribes (only the aliens would be more successful).
Assuming that von Neumann was right, and assuming it's even technologically possible to achieve 1% of light speed, here's some alternative explanations of why we don't see aliens in the Milky Way:
- Maybe we're ahead of the race here. It's unlikely, but it has to be the truth for some intelligent lifeform. Why not us? I admit this is unlikely.
- Maybe galaxy exploration is technically feasible but economically unfeasible. Aliens would have to solve the same problems than us.
- Maybe galaxy exploration is technically and economically feasible, but the overwhelming majority of lifeforms go extinct before reaching this point, an none have been able so far (additional assumption: life is relatively new in the universe, much like it's relatively new on Earth itself).
- Maybe galaxy exploration is possible and evidence of life forms has reached us, but we didn't understand them because we weren't looking for the right things.
- Maybe galaxy exploration is possible and aliens want us to remain untouched and unaware, much like some wish would happen with lost Amazonian tribes (only the aliens would be more successful).