I must agree, at this point in time we must function as if we are alone. Be it vast distances or an evolutionary fluke, right now we're the only game in town.

However, I can't help but muse regarding how quickly this could change (or may never change). It's certainly the prime question and I have no particular "intuition" either way.

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An open mind is like an open window...without a good screen you'll get all sorts of weird bugs!