Hello, SFIA audio listeners. In this month's Nebula exclusive, big alien theory,

we're asking the reason alien civilizations might be rare is because most aliens are huge.

To hear it and every episode early and ad-free, plus hours of bonus content, check out

go.nebola.tv slash Isaac Arthur and use my code, Isaac Arthur. This episode is sponsored by Audible.

In the centuries ahead, humans will explore and visit every corner of the Earth and solar

system.

It's tempting to hope that technology will somehow protect us from serious accidents, but if

history is any guide, the technology that allows this exploration

facilitates bigger accidents and in more dangerous and remote places.

Every year our first responders to emergencies are caught upon to perform countless

thousands of rescues in life and death circumstances,

and with a very high rate of success compared to prior years.

This indicates a trend of both better safety and better recovery efforts, which we can

confidently attribute to better technology and better training all around.

More knowledge allows us to better utilize what we have, as well as enabling us to develop new and better training all around. More knowledge allows us to better utilize what we have, as well as enabling us to develop

new and better equipment, and is the pen ultimate tool of both your survival while you wait

for rescue, as well as search and rescue efforts.

The ultimate tool of course is courage.

In dangerous situations, the will to survive is the most important part of making it through

a crisis, and on the opposite end, the will of rescuers to jump onto a sinking ship or into

a burning building represents extraordinary bravery and puts the lie to the cynical notion

that humanity is cowardly or selfish.

...