[Oceander]

Try reading the Fermi Paradox. Then get back to me.

For someone who's so cocksure about himself, you would do well to take your own advice and actually read what's up on that wikipedia link you posted. Suffice it to say that the first sentence of that article says all that need be said to refute the position you think the Fermi Paradox supports (which it does not); to wit: "The Fermi paradox (Fermi's paradox or Fermi-paradox) is the apparent contradiction between high estimates of the probability of the existence of extraterrestrial civilizations and the lack of evidence for, or contact with, such civilizations."(Emphasis added).

The last time I checked, the term "apparent" in that context would mean that the so-called Fermi Paradox is a state of affairs that appears to be, but is not, a paradox or contradiction.

[central_va]

Except for Earth, the universe is a violent, lonely place devoid of any intelligent civilizations or life. As for extraterrestrial slime and mold, who cares, we have enough here.

Even if other life was detected and we wanted to explore, travel at speeds approaching the speed of light is impossible, as the amount of energy needed to travel that fast approaches infinity. So visiting this fantasy life form isn't gonna happen.

I find other star systems interesting also but I harbor no illusions as to actually finding life there or travel to other stars. Can't happen.