Mine is probably the most boring: There are many intelligent species in the universe. Faster-than-light travel, however, really is simply impossible, meaning that there cannot exist a truly interstellar civilization. So while some species have probably settled solar systems other than their own through generation ships, suspended animation, time dilation, or whatever, their range of expansion is limited. This means that encounters between species of different planets are rare. Humans will most likely never contact any intelligent alien species, at most one or two. We might, however, discover evidence of their existence through telescopes or something.

  • NotARobot [she/her]
    ·
    4 years ago

    The thing is, any civilization capable of coming here from another star is far enough beyond us that we pose no threat.

    Sure, you could say that they have nothing to gain from introducing themselves to this mess, but there would have to be some kind of deliberate extreme quarantine if they can prevent every member of an alien civilization from making contact individually.