Wow, really enjoyed reading the great thoughts on this thread.
Similar to what others have said, I think the spectrum of 'intelligence' might be exponentially larger than anything the human mind can comprehend at this point in our development.
Since we're at the top of our planet's bio-hierarchy I think we tend to marvel at our own cleverness, yet wonder 'Where are the others like us?"
If other lifeforms are around us, they don't necessarily have to attempt to contact us or make themselves known to us in a way we could understand. There are millions of microorganisms around you right now, but they could never 'contact' you or even observe you in any meaningful way.
Similar to what others have said, I think the spectrum of 'intelligence' might be exponentially larger than anything the human mind can comprehend at this point in our development.
Since we're at the top of our planet's bio-hierarchy I think we tend to marvel at our own cleverness, yet wonder 'Where are the others like us?"
If other lifeforms are around us, they don't necessarily have to attempt to contact us or make themselves known to us in a way we could understand. There are millions of microorganisms around you right now, but they could never 'contact' you or even observe you in any meaningful way.