> the level of intelligence required to observe or signal other planets is completely unnecessary for survival, so there’s no pressure to evolve to that level.

> the level of intelligence required to observe or signal other planets is completely unnecessary for survival, so there’s no pressure to evolve to that level. Ah, but humans today are fully capable of guiding our own evolution toward whatever goal we desire as a group, regardless of "fitness". Perhaps there is a threshold of intelligence that, once reached, allows the possibility of that species becoming more intelligent and capable over time.