> Just to know you aren't alone Which requires the probe to return information. > because it's interesting to learn about others Which requires the probe to

> Just to know you aren't alone Which requires the probe to return information. > because it's interesting to learn about others Which requires the probe to return information. > to trade technology, philosophy, science, and media All of which, and say it with me, requires the probe to return information. At the speed of light, that return will take four years from the nearest star. > If just one alien civilization sent out a Bracewell probe a century but started back when the dinosaurs were around they could have launched a million probes by now. And if 'if' were a skiff, we'd all take a boat ride. What is the benefit of launching one such probe? Especially knowing that your next launch is in 100 years. Voyager, after about 40 years, is just barely out of our solar system. Voyager is broadcasting at 19 watts and we're barely getting that signal here. And it takes 16 hours. So instead of contemplating what would happen if hypothetical civilizations with hypothetical technology would do for hypothetical reasons, think about what we can and would do right now with our technology.