[tim politicus]

Tender young shoots need environmental challenges, but their roots and surrounding soil must be relatively undisturbed. Perhaps even actively protected.

But Boris, I think near solar space and inter-solar space is much fuller then currently popular speculation imagines. Some day, utilizing near solar space, we will become a mighty oak. Then the real fun will begin.

[boris]

"Tender young shoots need environmental challenges, but their roots and surrounding soil must be relatively undisturbed. Perhaps even actively protected."

This is nonsense. I call it the "Twilight Zone" argument.

What you are positing is that some all-powerful Galactic Federation has placed us "off limits". Maybe even patrolling outside the orbit of Pluto to enforce the Prime Directive.

If one assumes that there are many intelligent space-faring civilizations, it is more-or-less certain that one or more of them would give the finger (or tentacle) to the would-be game wardens. If several did, eventually one would get through, land on the White House lawn, and ask to meet the interns (they get the political news a little late).

Even less probable is an all-powerful Galactic Empire which enforces such prohibitions.

--Boris

[mercy]

Who's 'we'? You got an imortal mouse in your pocket?