Maybe The Great Filter (in the context of the Fermi paradox) is this: People printing their own organisms? (only half-joking)
More likely people uploading themselves into a virtual world, securing the planetary data center and dialating time to feel like everyone lives forever in the manner of their choosing.
There’s something sad about a civilization closing its eyes and turning inward on itself instead of exploring the vast universe that it has been presented with.
“Conquering the galaxy is what bacteria with spaceships would do—knowing no better, having no choice.”
From Diaspora, by Greg Egan :)
the universe may be vast, but it's pretty empty.
What makes you think you can simulate an atom faster than an atom does?
The theory is you wouldn't need to simulate every atom any more than you do in a video game.