There is life out there in the universe, nearly undoubtedly so, but what kind of life? Blue-Green algae, or something mostly like it, is probably very common. It’s when you move up from that you start running into problems. The more complex the life, the more likely it is that the universe snuffed it out at some point.
If we’re looking for a species that uses tools to build more tools, then that is likely a very rare thing indeed. Rare enough that we know that no such species that wants to talk is within 40 or so light years, and very likely no intelligent species in that range.
We have the technological ability to build long range ships now if we needed to, in another fifty years our capability will only grow, as will our need to do exactly that. I can’t prove it, but I think we might be the first species in the galaxy to escape our planet if we make it.
I think we might be the first species in the galaxy to escape our planet if we make it.
***Your supposition fits the facts. That could very well be God’s plan. The first commission was ‘multiply and inherit the earth’. The 2nd commission might be “multiply and inherit the universe”.
I think we're going to be surprised to run into traffic when we get out of this little backwater solar system.