One idea that has occurred to me over the past couple of years is that the so-called light speed limit on space exploration is actually mis-stated. The problem is not so much that there is a low limit to the speed at which one can travel, but that there is a low limit to human lifespan.

The distance between stars, measured in time, is considerably longer than the human lifespan.

We already envisage methods to extend lifespan by cryogenic suspension or to "pool" lifetime in a multi-generation colony ship, but imagine if humans were re-engineered to live for millions of years.

We would have to become much wiser to sustain our goals over that timespan and avoid overpopulation of the Universe, but nonetheless, the transit time from star to star would then become a fraction of a lifetime, not multiple lifetimes.

With this "small" change, much becomes possible - indeed inevitable...

(perhaps the reason why we don't detect aliens is that we're thinking on the wrong timescale. Do flies "detect" human intelligence as they buzz frantically around?)

Oh, and thanks for the quote, Vince.