I learned from Professor Goodman's interview with Avi Loeb that there are 10^22 planets in the observable universe with conditions similar to those on earth. Due to this, Professor Loeb believes we should be modest about our existence, as there are likely other intelligent civilizations whose technologies will look like magic to us. If other life forms do exist (and the probabilities seem to suggest this is the case), I would be curious to compare how various life forms developed-- would civilizations in different universes come to the same technological advancements as us (at varying levels of advancement) or would each civilization branch off in a completely different direction, creating societies beyond what we could dream of (for example, is the invention of the car, in some form or other, necessary for technological development). What does this say about the inevitability or lack thereof of our technologies?
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I love the idea of treating our existence with "modesty." I've thought about this a lot, about our role in the universe and the "significance" of our existence. I guess my question is: how can we act upon or practice "modesty" in regards to our existence? How can we see that kind of behavior manifest, and how could it be potentially beneficial/fruitful for our existence?