[TopQuark]

Second, if there are intelligent aliens, why aren't they here? Firstly, we may not be important. Secondly, do not forget that we are of any interest at all for just about 10,000 years. And another civilization may ve so far away that it takes light this many years to travel. IN other words, as they look NOW at our Earth, they see Neanderthal-like creatures from which that light was reflected. They will see us, with our TV, satellites, libraries, etc. only 10,000 years from now.

[MHGinTN]

I like the way you expressed that, re. 10,000 years ... I've often wondered, perhaps we are but the first to make it this far and there are myiad others accomplishing it as we continue, and by the time we have developed some form of exploitation of energy and forces and no longer rely on electromagnetic pulses, we will be invisible to them when they search for us 10,000 years from now.

[A.J.Armitage]

None of that matters. If we go to Mars, it's not so we can enjoy the great Martian civilization.

Settlement and colonization is what I have in mind.