> My take on the situation is that life, intelligence, etc. is pervasive
> throughout the universe. Thus H. sapiens is in no way special,
> except for our own hubris. There are "billions and billions" of similar
> "life" situations. "Life" is probable a tertiary side effect. Kind
> of like dust on the stage floor. The main act is far beyond us.
> We only have our local fragile garden to care take and imbue with
> meaning, through just so stories.
>
> "As flies to wanton boys are we to th' gods,
> They kill us for their sport."
> -- Shakespeare - King Lear, Act 4, scene 1
>
> " Ah Love, could thou and I, with Fate conspire
> To grasp this sorry scheme of things entire
> Would we not shatter it to bits and then
> Re-mould it closer to the heart's desire ?"
> -- Khayyam/Fitzgerald - the Rubaiyat
>
> "Do not trouble yourself with the gods. Their
> concerns are not ours. Tend to your fields, and
> love your children, for these are the affairs of Man."
> -- from The Epic of Gilgamesh
>
> The final words from Candide in Voltaire's
> "Candide" are "but let us cultivate our garden".