It's probably extremely likely that if there are other intelligent life out there it is hiding. Risks of things like contamination and extermination are massive

It's probably extremely likely that if there are other intelligent life out there it is hiding. Risks of things like contamination and extermination are massive, and one need only to look at our own history. Transoceanic trade was havoc enough on our own species when it emerged a few centuries ago, both in terms of loss of human life from violence and disease as well as native flora and fauna that was either exploited, cut out in favor of a cash crop, or outcompeted by an invasive species that came aboard those ships. Even today you can't do things like transport firewood due to the risk of spreading disease to different populations. I think we are in an especially dangerous position since we are just blaring out "Look at me!!!" with our radio emissions into the universe. Hopefully another species doesn't consider this as some brutish chesthumping of our confidence against conquest.