-
We are not alone, but we are separated by time and distance. Lets say two civilizations are separated by 200 Million Light years, (pretty close actually) and only 2.8 million years in time.
Lets say civ A sends out a signal 200 million years ago. That signal will arrive 200 million years in their future, That signal will arrive .8 million years after today. Will we be able to receive it? Seti has been going for what? 50 years? Will it continue for another 800,000 years? If so, and we send an answer it will take another 200 million years to teach them. Get the idea?
Lets say civ A sends out a signal 200 million years ago. That signal will arrive 200 million years in their future, That signal will arrive .8 million years after today. Will we be able to receive it? Seti has been going for what? 50 years? Will it continue for another 800,000 years? If so, and we send an answer it will take another 200 million years to teach them. Get the idea?
-
There's a very good chance there's life out there somewhere, but we have not yet detected it. Since life on Earth was basically bacteria for a very long time, chances are good that's how we'll first find it elsewhere.
-
Of course, space goes on forever, anyone who says there isn't is very egotistic and ignorant.