I have no idea where to post this but: I've got a theory/conspiracy about mushrooms. Not necessarily my theory, I've heard similar.

So I think the Fermi paradox only explains why we don't see extraterrestrial life /that looks like us./ We are expecting to see or hear from something familiar, something similar to us so we can relate. But what if that's wrong?

So I propose mushrooms, specifically of the entheogenic kind, are of an ancient advanced intelligence. Here's my reasoning.

Two scientific concepts and aspirations humanity may work towards are, a Singularity with technology and Von Neumann probes. (E.L.I.5 - the singularity is a point in time where humanity and technology essentially become one. Von Neumann probes is a device that is sent to space, gathers materials, replicates itself and does it over, to explore the planets.)

So I believe, some advanced race reached a singularity but not with technology - with biology.

Being so advanced they reached thier limit & they were able to enconde all their information into a biological molecule called psilocybin. And this was then programmed to interact with any species, that has reached a certain point in thier own evolution. (I.E Stoned Ape Theory.) They then put this biological singularity, into a biological Von Neumann probe. Something that is simple, grows easily and everywhere and has a way to dispense itself by the millions - mushrooms. Mushrooms spores can survive the conditions of space - as far as we can tell indefinitely too. Fungal spores lay dormant everywhere, just waiting. Maybe the attach to asteroids or rockets leaving one planet and travel another & wait. Or maybe they are light enough to just casual drift out of our atmosphere and slowly but surely drift to somewhere solid, where they can just wait.

I don't know if I explained it well. But it's a trippy thing to consider.

Hope ya'll are well!