Are we special?
Whether as individuals, cultures, species, or even simply "Earthlings," that question's answer depends, in large part, on one's point of view. But cosmically speaking there's a reasonable argument against our holding some privileged place in the universe: the cosmological principle. This tenet of modern cosmology essentially says that, on average, the distribution of stuff throughout space is homogeneous on the largest intergalactic scales we can measure, having no preferred concentrations or directions to its expanse. So while we and our planet (or our star, or our entire galaxy and its associated galactic neighbors) may seem somewhat notable when considered in isolation, when compared to the universe's fullness any presumed significance fades into the cosmic background.
Or does it? Our top story, by science journalist Sarah Scoles, discusses some strange hints that the cosmological principle isn't as certain as it seems—and explains why the universe itself may conspire to guarantee we'll never know for sure. —Lee Billings
