Summary

The website content is an excerpt from a novel detailing a protagonist's existential crisis and his quest for understanding life's purpose in the context of potential extraterrestrial intelligence, juxtaposed with his personal relationship struggles.

Abstract

The provided text is from chapter 5 of an ongoing novel titled "The Last Human in the Milky Way." It delves into the protagonist's introspective journey following his partner Sara's departure, which coincides with his deep dive into research about the statistical likelihood of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). The protagonist grapples with the implications of ETI's existence on human life and his own existence, while also reflecting on the state of his relationship with Sara. He ponders the significance of potential alien life and whether it can offer new perspectives on his life and the choices he has made. The narrative is interspersed with scientific discussions on the probability of abiogenesis, evolutionary time scales, and the potential for self-extinction of complex life, suggesting that most intelligent life in the galaxy is young and thus difficult to detect. The protagonist's personal turmoil is set against the backdrop of a seemingly abandoned neighborhood, adding to the sense of isolation and the search for meaning in a possibly indifferent universe.

Opinions

The protagonist is deeply engrossed in his writing and research, to the point of neglecting his relationship with Sara.
Sara's departure is a catalyst for the protagonist's existential reflections, highlighting the tension between personal relationships and professional or intellectual pursuits.
The protagonist finds solace and perhaps a sense of purpose in the idea that intelligent life could exist elsewhere in the galaxy.
The scientific articles within the narrative suggest a statistical probability rather than concrete evidence of ETI, emphasizing the speculative nature of such research.
The protagonist questions whether the potential existence of ETI has any practical relevance to his life, reflecting a broader philosophical inquiry into the significance of human existence in the vastness of the universe.
The author uses the protagonist's internal monologue to explore themes of loneliness, the search for meaning, and the impact of scientific discovery on personal life.

NOVEL WORKSHOP

“You Do Not See Me. You Do Not Care!”

She and he, the longing, suddenly these thoughts. And then, out of nowhere: “What is man? How long have we been here? Where do we come from? Where are we going?”

This is part of a novel, chapter 5. To see all published chapters, go here.

5

That’s what Sara had said to him when she left. The words grinded his head again and again. “You are only focused on one thing — writing, writing, writing, writing. You are only focused on what you yourself are doing. You do not see me. You do not care about anything, and then it’s just you, you first and foremost, and it does not work. Thank you. Now I’m leaving. ”

He had been quite shocked when she said that. She, who had never had the guts to leave him before, she came with this now, in this situation when he had finally had a breakthrough. It shook the basic essence of his life.

He had been working for several days to find source material, background material for his thoughts, this search for answers, this story that had begun to live inside him, mixed with these difficult thoughts: “Why do we have it the way we have it, Sara and I ? What is life? What should our life be?»

She and he, the longing, suddenly these thoughts. And then, out of nowhere: “What is man? How long have we been here? Where do we come from? Where are we going?”

He had come across this article, a research document from a group of researchers who looked at the statistical possibilities or chances for extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI). As he sat and read the article, he was sure he was on the right track. Man is not alone in the universe. It is statistically necessary to be so that extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) exists, even if we are not able to prove it physically — at least not at the current stage in human development.

He had spent both the day and the following night getting acquainted with this. He had become so gripped by what he read and the perspectives that lay in it. It is so incredible, so unexpected! Statistically it is probable that life may have existed elsewhere in the Milky Way, or at least in other galaxies.

“Before astrobiology, the exact location, distribution, and age of potential extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) have not been explicitly explored. Here, we address these inquiries using an empirical galactic simulation model to analyze spatial-temporal variations and the distribution of potential ETIs in the galaxy. This model estimates the prevalence of ETIs, and provides guidance on where to look for intelligent life.

Search for ETI (SETI) with a set of criteria, including well-established astrophysical properties of the Milky Way. Furthermore, factors such as the process of abiogenesis (abiogenesis, generatio aequivoca, generatio spontanea are typically overlooked. Today, abiogenesis is referred to as a scientific hypothesis in which inorganic matter spontaneously merges to form organic molecules capable of copying itself), various evolutionary time scales and potential self-destruct incorporated to explore the growth of inclination towards the EIT. ”

He had to stop for a moment to try to grasp it. Intelligent life in our galaxy, intelligent life with potential self-annihilation incorporated. It was dizzying, it was as if he was walking in a cloud of euphoric intoxication. He just had to read on:

«We examine three main parameters: probability of abiogenesis (λA); evolutionary time scales (Tevo); and probability of self-extinction of complex life (Pann). We found Pann as the most influential parameter that determined the amount and age of galactic intelligent life. Our model simulation also identified an apex of the ETI in an annular region about 4 kpc from the galactic center around 8 billion years (Gyrs), with a complex life that is reduced temporally and spatially from the apex, claiming a high probability of intelligent life in the galactic inner disk. The simulated age distributions also suggest that most of the intelligent life in our galaxy is young, thus making observation or detection difficult. “

He stopped, holding his breath as he tried to think. The scope of what he read. What this meant. For humanity. For people around him. For him.

He was on fire. What was lacking in this article was the answer to the question he himself asked: If it is possible — or probable — that there is life in the galaxy, intelligent life, then what are the possibilities for getting in touch with these aliens?

He regained consciousness. He woke up as one wakes up from a dream.

This new possibility that had been discovered, what was stated in this article — other beings, living beings may exist or may have existed elsewhere. Could there be a chance that they were intelligent beings? But anyway, he thought, they’re too far away, and that was a long time ago. They are too far away, in time and space, out of reach — so why should that mean anything for me? Should the possibility of intelligent life elsewhere in the universe mean anything to me. For my life? If so, in what ways? Can it give new perspectives on life and existence? Does it put my life in a new perspective?

He was excited. He no longer knew if he was in a kind of dream world or in the real world. What is true, what is not true? What is important to me? Is this important to me — knowing that life probably exists or has existed long, far, long, long ago?

What is important and not important? What is true and not true?

Sara was gone. That was true. It had been a nightmare that night. He was unsure if he had done anything unforgivable to her. Or was it she who had done something unforgivable to him? It was shrouded in a blanket of darkness, deep in the blackest night.

Would she come back? Would Sara come back again? It was not true or false, for it was uncertain. And what is uncertain, is it true or false? Where do I stand now?

“What should I do with my life?” he thought.

“Everyone is gone, everyone has left. There must be reasons for this. I know, Sander’s house is empty, just like all the other houses.”

Novel fragments will appear here at irregular intervals, as the writing of fiction progresses. For the latest follow me here: https://oivind47.medium.com/

Novel in progress. — The author appreciates comments and feedback.

#4 They Lived Their Quiet Lives

https://readmedium.com/they-lived-their-quiet-lives-f736ad5badc6

#6 Something Has Happened to the World

https://readmedium.com/something-has-happened-to-the-world-34d86a582b25

© Øivind H. Solheim , @oivind47, hiker, teacher, author of novels, poetry, articles, essays, short fiction and experimental writing. [email protected]