Assume that since none of the ~10^20 planets we see has yet given rise to a visible expanding civilization, each planet has a less than one in 10^20 chance of doing so. If so, what fraction of this 10^20 filter do you estimate still lies ahead of us? If that fraction were only 1/365, then we face at least a 12% chance of disaster. Which should be enough to scare you. To make sure we take the time to periodically remember this key somber fact, I propose that today, the day before winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, be Filter Day.

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