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I have to disagree. It is useful to be able to quantify the exact state of ignorance that we currently have and as our observational reach expands, the values of the variables in the equation should become less and less fuzzy.

The problem isn't with the Drake equation, it's with the pop science articles that extrapolated things from it way beyond the original intent or scope.

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Several sets of unknown on an infinite universe, so we know know nothing.

However thanks to speed of light the data set is not infinite, just absurd.

So we know almost nothing.

Given time the expansion of the universe will push all galaxies and stars away from us. The data set will be 1.

We now know everything.

As expansion continues all hydrogen items will eventually break apart. All life has ended.

Nothing now knows us.

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