Statistically speaking there must be life out there somewhere on the same level as ours. Indeed it stands to reason that the universe may not only be teeming with life but also had innumerable species rise and fall over its lifetime. I find this a comforting idea because it means that life is inevitable which gives the universe a purpose.

Humanity being the only species in the entire universe aware of its place within it raises even more philosophical questions!

Whether or not a race has been able to travel across the stars is another thing entirely. In fiction the alien races in Star Trek or The Expanse cheat their way across the stars by taking a shortcut via another dimension or excluding the vessel from space/time altogether during travel and bending the laws of physics.

If a race has crossed the vastness of space at conventional speeds it is actually more likely that they are robotic than biological as machines do not have the weaknesses of flesh, assuming that the created inheriting their world from their creators is also inevitable for any advanced species.

It’s a lot to get your head round but it makes for good nights in the pub!