Sure, but we might want try to at least constrain the parameters with better (verifiable!) bounds and perhaps even modify the equation occasionally when we lear

Sure, but we might want try to at least constrain the parameters with better (verifiable!) bounds and perhaps even modify the equation occasionally when we learn more -- as we have done (learn, that is) since it was proposed. I should make clear that I wasn't disagreeing with mercurialshark, per se. As I said: It's certainly a good thing to think about these things, but... :) EDIT: Assuming it generally agrees with observed facts, a good sign for any scientific theory is how much it constrains the explanation/solution space. (Paraphrased, obviously. For the life of me I cannot remember who said this. Perhaps David Deutsch?) I don't think the Drake Equation adequately constrains the solution/explanation space.