[wbill]

It's far more likely they would just ignore us and go about their business

Yep. That's my take on it as well. You're aware of the ants in your driveway, but you don't waste time trying to talk with them.

Between that, and the general vastness of space, I'd guess that we won't be meeting up with ET anytime soon.

[null and void]

Yep. That's my take on it as well. You're aware of the ants in your driveway, but you don't waste time trying to talk with them.

Speak for yourself.

I had an arrangement with the ants in my old home. Never had an ant in the house problem.

Got married (big mistake) explained the arrangement to the now ex (big mistake).

She promptly violated it (The story of Eve comes to mind).

She still has an intractable ant problem in that house.