Weak argument:
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992283
Good info:
http://www.astro-tom.com/technical_data/alien_life.htm
As for me I feel certain that we are not alone in the universe, furthermore I am confident that there is indeed other intelligent life. We are often quick to point out the hems and haws of why we “must be alone”. I appreciate your work and papers and research Atrocities, so please do not take my next comment wrong, it is not directed at you or any other person who has undertaken such a daunting task as this one.
We are a young and technologically inferior species! We do not have the ability or the mind set to truly discover what is out there. Sure we have plenty of radio telescopes, but that is the best we can do? Yes we have projects like SETI, how much funding did they get Last fiscal year?
I feel the short fall is in the average human mindset, this is a big statement since no poll has been taken to tell one way or another. If we do not see an immediate benefit from something we usually don’t buy into it. Where is the immediate benefit in spending the needed money and time to communicate with the slug beasts of Alpha Omega? NONE! The payoff comes in the long run, the very long run.
What about our movies of aliens? Independence Day, Alien. Other than Close Encounters and ET how many “good” contact movies can you think of? How many negative? Why? Are we mostly xenophobic, I think so?
Ok, someone else can have the soap box now.