The concept of the "great filter" to explain why so far we seem to be alone in the universe is based on erroneous assumptions, according to a new model that describes how life on Earth evolved in step with changing geobiological conditions rather than through a series of improbable events.
"We're arguing that intelligent life may not require a series of lucky breaks to exist," said lead author Dan Mills of the University of Munich in a statement. "Humans didn't evolve 'early' or 'late' in Earth's history, but 'on time' when the conditions were in place."
