[bsder]

> It only takes one small group within one species to generate a self-replicating probe

And what would that probe look like?

For it to be a useful to the sending civilization, it needs to go out, replicate, and send information back.

The first two are easy. Send out lots of meteorites with bacteria on them.

The third is not so easy. Creating a self-replicating machine which can then transmit back across interstellar distances or store information in its replication program and then send more of itself out is hard.

Or, you help life evolve and then wait for the results to reach the point where they can send out their own probes and signals...

[kamaal]

>>And what would that probe look like?

And more importantly why would anyone send anything to anywhere?

I never understand the argument people make about probes spreading across galaxies. If we assume they are at least as intelligent as we are, then purposelessly wandering in the universe would be least of their goals.

I can understand if probes have military goals. Like for example to evaluate threats to them. But like us here on earth, and with their technology would be carried out at a technical sophistication we have no remote capabilities of detecting currently.

[fixedd]

> And more importantly why would anyone send anything to anywhere?

You're assuming everyone is rational. For instance, if I were a future billionaire I'd totally do it... knowing I'd never see even a glimmer of return on the investment... just cause.

[kamaal]

Yet how many billionaires on earth do that?

I guess once you have the money you also develop a sense of responsibility about how you wish to spend it. Every thing in the universe, even if we imagine unlimited resources at one's disposal- Every project has its costs. It might be time, energy, or other manual resources. You have to continually trade one for the other based on the goals you have currently.

We are assuming that life forms will just build probes and let them wander for some remote chance of another life form to see it.

[fixedd]

It's impossible to judge what one might find valuable. Preserving life as "a thing" might be just as important to future-wealthyperson as fighting Malaria is to a current one.