> I think if there were others close enough to matter, we'd have been colonised by an errant Von Neumann machine by now. As long as were exploring wild theorie

> I think if there were others close enough to matter, we'd have been colonised by an errant Von Neumann machine by now. As long as were exploring wild theories, how about this one: Aliens smarter than us have colonized earth and are manipulating our information sources so we are not aware. Further, every once in a while they "give" us discoveries to advance our technology in a controlled manner. Perhaps we're captives in what is equivalent to a zoo. I find that more pleasant to imagine than aggressive/hostile aliens that could probably destroy our civilization in about 17 seconds, though that would have the benefit of solving all of our problems in one fell swoop.