Tim Lacroix
Tim Lacroix asked Dennis E. Taylor:

Dennis, the Sagan response to the fermi paradox states that aliens of sufficient technological level will destroy all Von Neumann probes when detected because of the threat of them consuming all resources as they multiply. Any plans to explore this? Also with all the strange alien disclosure going on and people questioning what reality is in the first place will we get some bobs exploring other universes?

Dennis E. Taylor That's a 'grey goo' scenario variation. I think that any civilization with half a brain will place hard limits in their Von Neumann probes to prevent that, so it's only a theoretical danger. Nevertheless, there are several reasons why civilizations might destroy probes, including the one used in Heaven's River. A combative, xenophobic, paranoid civilization would be an interesting alternative.

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