Galactic Bystander Effect...

There is mounting evidence that the planetary arrangement of our solar system is a rare (almost unique) phenomenon in our galaxy. Astronomers have been discovering extrasolar planets since 1995 and are finding that Jupiter sized planets are in extreme proximity to their suns. These large jovian planets generally form beyond the range where water exists solely as ice. What the recent discoveries of extrasolar planets have lead scientists to accept is that these large planets tend to careen towards their suns and in doing so they would obliterate any rocky planet (like earth). This means that the possibility of life in our galaxy (and likely the universe) is even less likely than we previously expected.

The first detection of an extrasolar planet was in 1995. Jupiter's revolution takes about 12 years. We have found (as of 2010) almost 500 of these jovian planets. All of them have orbits that lead us to presume the destruction of any rocky planets. Every day that goes by without a discovery of a farther orbit extra solar jovian planet, means that there is less and less of a possibility for planets as hospitable as ours in other solar systems.

In every interview of astronomers on this subject, they all express disappointment in this new revelation. My assumption is that they expected that the responsibility of maintaining life was not limited to our solar system. Perhaps they consider that our path will inevitably lead to the destruction of life on our planet, leaving a dead rock despite our ideal conditions.

This is an example of a galactic bystander effect. Comfort was found in the assumption that some alien planet would be able to pick up the slack for our absolute ignorance of how incredibly special we are. Gifts can be squandered if they are distributed graciously. But now we learn that we may be unique. That there may be no (or almost no) other life "out there".

This information may prove to enlighten some and encourage them to live more meaningful lives. Suddenly the value of life has increased. There should be no feelings of disappointment, there should be a call for everyone to accept that they have a galactic responsibility and to recognize the value of all life.


Post-script

Idea for a story: Our ideal conditions for life are found to be artificially triggered when a Jupiter expedition discovers that there is a neutrino laser directed at Jupiter and is preventing its descent towards the sun (inadvertently creating the eye on Jupiter).