If they existed but no longer exist, we are still alone.
Unless they have some sort of radio beacon that was built so that it lasts forever, we'd have no idea they existed without that beacon. The odds that beacon is pointed in a direction that we could detect is pretty slim. If they were of like minds/ability to detect other stars that would be interesting to say hi to, our Sol might not have existed then. They'd probably be pointing at a star that is now no longer existing.
The universe is big. The universe is old. It's just hard to fathom exactly how small the chances of us finding someone else out there would be even if they do exist. Our squishy lobes just are not equipped to comprehend that type of desolation.
I'm not trying to be a downer, but just have some realistic expectations. Plus, I've seen enough sci-fi to know that this other civilization might not be benevolent, so not knowing about them (and them not knowing about us) could be the better result
Unless they have some sort of radio beacon that was built so that it lasts forever, we'd have no idea they existed without that beacon. The odds that beacon is pointed in a direction that we could detect is pretty slim. If they were of like minds/ability to detect other stars that would be interesting to say hi to, our Sol might not have existed then. They'd probably be pointing at a star that is now no longer existing.
The universe is big. The universe is old. It's just hard to fathom exactly how small the chances of us finding someone else out there would be even if they do exist. Our squishy lobes just are not equipped to comprehend that type of desolation.
I'm not trying to be a downer, but just have some realistic expectations. Plus, I've seen enough sci-fi to know that this other civilization might not be benevolent, so not knowing about them (and them not knowing about us) could be the better result