[ExI] endpoint of evolution

[Henrique Moraes Machado (CI)]

<Ben Zaiboc>From what we know of the evolution of life, it's very very 
doubtful that we are the only intelligences in the universe, or even this 
galaxy, but I don't think the Fermi Paradox is as paradoxical as it's made 
out to be.  I think SETI is a complete waste of time, simply from thinking 
about how BIG the place is.  Our radio front is like a ping-pong ball in the 
Black Forest.  It wouldn't surprise me if the galaxy could host thousands of 
highly advanced civilisations that knew nothing about one another.
</Ben Zaiboc>

I allways wonder about that too. One thesis that I hold is that in order to 
to be seen from a big distance, someone has to waste copious amounts of 
precious energy that could be put to better use. Therefore we can't detect 
an advanced civilisation just because they don't want to be seen. Not 
because they are hiding but because they learned not to waste energy.
And let's suppose that some of these hypothetical highly advanced 
civilisations are looking for others. Are we wasting energy enough so we 
could be detected from at least four or five digits of light years (assuming 
that they could be this close to us)?