[soganess]

I've often wondered why we unconsciously assume foreign lifeforms will have a lifespan within even 3 orders of magnitude of our own.

If we can accept alien life that can travel at the speed of light, why can't we accept alien like that can live millions of years? Honestly, I feel like the latter is more palatable as a result of technological progress than the former.

[mindcrime]

Agreed. It is possible that some really long-lived lifeform has evolved "out there". That's why I said "and tolerate boredom really well", since you still have to wonder what they're doing during the trip. Maybe singing "99 bottles of beer on the wall?" I don't know.

[soganess]

That would be amazing!

I'm imagining a sci-fi novel where aliens have extended their own lives but not improved their memory, so after 5 million years they reach their destination doing nothing but singing and merriment on the way. Sadly, upon arrival they can't remember why they are there, where they are from, or anything else important. Maybe all over the ship they left notes to themselves a la "100 years of solitude" but sadly they can't remember how to read them.

[mindcrime]

If you write it, sign me up to buy a copy!