Do floor tiles occur naturally?
Even if we can't intercept their communications, we should be able to see their works. The universe looks far too natural to contain much technologically advanced intelligence.
Even if we can't intercept their communications, we should be able to see their works. The universe looks far too natural to contain much technologically advanced intelligence.
I think that's the point of the xkcd strip.
On the other hand, how exactly do you find things without looking for them - wait to get stepped on? :)
Which is the point of the xkcd strip (the alt-text makes it even more clear). It isn't about ants, ants don't read xkcd. The point is that despite all of what we've done we have barely scratched the surface of knowing or understanding the universe. We are as ignorant of the nature of intelligent life in the universe, even whether it exists outside of Earth or not, as the depicted ants are of human civilization. Far more so, in fact.