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About this quote

What does it mean?
The universe's size suggests it should host more life.
In plain terms
Empty space is wasteful if no one else lives there.
What can you take from it?
The universe likely hosts more life.

Where it applies

  • astrobiology
  • philosophical wonder

Putting it to work

  • searching for aliens
  • justifying space research

Questions to consider

  • Is a lifeless universe truly wasted?

Another view

Life might exist but be undetectable or distant.

More from Carl Sagan

  1. The nature of life on Earth and the search for life elsewhere are two sides of the same question: the search for who we are.

    Permalink to quote #99
  2. Comets giveth and comets taketh away.

    Permalink to quote #98
  3. Where we have strong emotions, we're liable to fool ourselves. (From the 'Cosmos' television series, 'Blues for the Red Planet')

    Permalink to quote #97

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