If we found microbes and nothing more, the larger public would be underwhelmed. We've been trained to think 'alien = adorable/murderous creatures'. The scienti

If we found microbes and nothing more, the larger public would be underwhelmed. We've been trained to think 'alien = adorable/murderous creatures'. The scientific establishment would be excited, of course, but I fail to see how that excitement would percolate down to the average Joe. What's more interesting is the long-term impact on human society. We will see a gradual shift from human-centric narratives to more universal narratives