It is not a question of whether “life” elsewhere is “important”. Over the millenniums ahead of us it no doubt will be. We are so far away from any practicality of that to humans at this time, it’s ridiculous.
“Life” on Mars, or somewhere in this solar system. Yes, we have some practical use in that now, as we begin to get prepared to humanly explore our own solar system.
“Life” on some “exoplanet” 1,000 light years from us? Zero practical importance at this time, and we have a long ways ahead of us in which it will be reasonable for us to see it as important in any practical sense.
Life on some exoplanet 1,000 light years from us? Zero practical importance at this time, and we have a long ways ahead of us in which it will be reasonable for us to see it as important in any practical sense.
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It has zero practical importance to you, but it has has inspirational value to many, and that can be very valuable.