The Low-Entropy Silence Hypothesis: A Thermodynamic Explanation of the Fermi Paradox

This paper proposes a physics-based deductive framework to address the Fermi Paradox, moving beyond sociological conjectures. Taking the second law of thermodynamics (irreversible entropy increase) as the sole foundational cornerstone and assuming consciousness continuity, the study derives a three-stage evolutionary path from carbon-based infancy to distributed digital existence, formulating the Low-Entropy Silence Hypothesis (LESH). Advanced civilizations aiming for long-term survival are shown to converge toward deep silence: buried distributed nodes, minimal energy use, and zero proactive interstellar contact. LESH self-consistently explains the observed cosmic silence—no signals, no traces, no contact—while providing clearly defined two-tiered falsification criteria. The consciousness continuity premise remains subject to future physical verification; the present framework is confined to established physics. This framework offers a novel, testable, and physically grounded alternative to existing Fermi Paradox explanations, inviting further theoretical development and observational testing.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-08-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22139805
Primary Topic
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
Type
preprint
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
preprint

The Low-Entropy Silence Hypothesis: A Thermodynamic Explanation of the Fermi Paradox

Zhimeng Kang
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
preprint

The Low-Entropy Silence Hypothesis: A Thermodynamic Explanation of the Fermi Paradox

Zhimeng Kang
preprint en

Abstract

This paper proposes a physics-based deductive framework to address the Fermi Paradox, moving beyond sociological conjectures. Taking the second law of thermodynamics (irreversible entropy increase) as the sole foundational cornerstone and assuming consciousness continuity, the study derives a three-stage evolutionary path from carbon-based infancy to distributed digital existence, formulating the Low-Entropy Silence Hypothesis (LESH). Advanced civilizations aiming for long-term survival are shown to converge toward deep silence: buried distributed nodes, minimal energy use, and zero proactive interstellar contact. LESH self-consistently explains the observed cosmic silence—no signals, no traces, no contact—while providing clearly defined two-tiered falsification criteria. The consciousness continuity premise remains subject to future physical verification; the present framework is confined to established physics. This framework offers a novel, testable, and physically grounded alternative to existing Fermi Paradox explanations, inviting further theoretical development and observational testing.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.