I don't know how to solve it, but many scientists think Drake's equation is pretty useless because we can't even estimate, even in the ballpark, the factors in the equation. It's also related to Fermi's Paradox. Imo, intelligent, communicating civilisations do exist out there, it's just that they are out of our light cone. It's possible that we are alone in our galaxy, but it's absurd to extend this to the entire Universe. But if they're out of our lightcone then SETI's research is doomed and even if there are intelligent civilizations out there we won't be able to communicate with them. But even then, we should try out utmost to establish contact, I think. Some scientists think aliens could be malevolent, and we would be better off not trying to contact them. What's SETI doing nowadays? THe last time I heard they were building several detectors. If it's too hard to establish contact we would be better off focusing our efforts on trying to advance our own sciences, such as CERN, LHC, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and quantum mechanics. Hope this helped.
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Anonymous2009-03-15 15:22
While I respect SETI's efforts, I can't help but feel that the money spent by them could be put to better use somewhere else.
For the OP, Drake's equation is purely hypothetical. There is no way of knowing if the variable values are even close to correct. I do believe in Extraterrestrial life, but until we can solve our own problems, or find a way to bend space to allow FTL travel, then we shouldn't even worry about ETs