Name: Jones
Comments: I love the break down of possibilities in the first post of this topic. It really makes you wonder if we aren't all just part of some bigger scheme or experiment.
Name: Skeptic
Comments: Given the power and influence that an alien race would have to reach here why don't they simply show themselves. Why be in the shadows or toy with us?
I think living in the matrix is worse prospects than the simple idea that either we are all alone, or we just haven't met the aliens yet. Remember what it was like to wake up outside of the matrix? I personally would rather just be alone in the universe or continue waiting for the grand reveal. Maybe the aliens have a good reason for not meeting humanity directly.
I bet it is possible that microbes from extraterrestrial asteroids survived a passage through space and entry into our atmosphere.