The Mediocrity Principle

     Humans often believe that they are at the center of the universe. Disagreeing with this, scientifically speaking, has landed quite a few scientists in trouble. However, essentially all astronomers and cosmologists of the modern day tend to wind up agreeing with The Copernican Principle, which states that the Earth does not occupy a special place in the universe. We are not the center of the universe, and not even the center of our galaxy (gasp!). An extension of this principle is The Mediocrity Principle, the idea that there is nothing special at all about the Earth or humans. In fact, we are probably just par for the course in the universe. We can assume that what is happening here is happening elsewhere (probably even life and intelligent life). This is just a stipulation, but a pretty powerful one. It seems science has trended in this direction, with not just cosmology but also biology (evolution says we are basically just advanced monkeys).

    There is a big problem with this principle: it is quite depressing. We want to think that we are special. We want to strive for important causes and have an impact. We do not want to be forgotten. When we look up at the night sky, it fills us with existential dread to realize that there are more stars in the universe then there are grains of sand on Earth. And a single beach has an incredible amount of sand. The next time you are on a beach, run your fingers through the sand. Imagine the worlds that could exist out if there are really that many stars. Then, wonder if you are really the most important species, the "chosen" race. Probably not. Seems a bit ridiculous. But, maybe? We haven't seen any existence of extraterrestrial life, and the Fermi Paradox is quite complex (why don't we see any evidence for aliens given that we probably should?). Maybe sentient life is extremely rare, or maybe we are the only conscious beings in the universe. This could be important, as without us the universe might just be lifeless balls of gas and rock. We might just be mediocre, or we be the only thing that matters.

    The Mediocrity Principle has rung true up until this point in history. We don't seem particularly special. Whatever we do with nukes, or AI, or pandemics, it doesn't matter much. We could all die out in a flash, and intelligent life elsewhere will probably live on. Perhaps they are better than us, more empathetic and moral. Maybe we would just get in their way. Whatever life force there is in the universe, it doesn't end with us. But, what if it does? Maybe it does? Until there is evidence to the contrary, we have an enormous responsibility. A burden, perhaps. To survive and thrive, to spread among the starts and act as observers to a beautiful universe. Beautiful because of our eyes.