[johnny7]

That's why it's hard for me to believe that the universe contains thousands of earth-like planets. Life on earth has gone through so many, catastrophic mutations that the odds of intelligent life elsewhere are much slimmer than popularly thought.

[gcruse]

Life on earth has gone through so many, catastrophic mutations that the odds of intelligent life elsewhere are much slimmer than popularly thought.

I prefer to see the glass as half full.  Intelligent life survived despite these catastrophes.  Nature is resilient.

[coconutt2000]

I have no trouble believing that earth type, life supporting planets are probably quite common.

But the necessary stability, and low probability events and conditions that lead to the development of a sentient species are probably so rare so as to mean that we're probably the next thing to being alone in this galaxy.

All the more reason to get out there, explore and colonize.

[LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget]

That's why it's hard for me to believe that the universe contains thousands of earth-like planets. Life on earth has gone through so many, catastrophic mutations that the odds of intelligent life elsewhere are much slimmer than popularly thought.

I am still looking for signs of intelligent life on earth.