These is speculation why the Universe is so apparently empty of intelligent life.
—
see the Dark Forest Theory, an answer to Fermi’s Paradox.
Short version:
The universe has finite resources;
Resources are necessary for any civilization’s survival;
Civilization will make technologically breakthroughs;
Other civilizations could take vital resources, and so are suspect;
Revealing a civilization’s location could invite a first strike;
A first strike would reveal a civilization’s location.
Therefore:
The best way for a civilization to survive is to hide;
The best way to attack a potential rival is to strike indirectly from a vast distance and far from the home civilization, then run away.
“These is speculation why the Universe is so apparently empty of intelligent life.”
Earth included in the above?
Or just Congress?