"A host of discoveries have been made during the last decade or so, the most important
certainly being a large number of extrasolar planets; the existence of many
extremophile organisms at the deep ocean hydrothermal vents, possibly
vindicating the “deep hot biosphere” of Thomas Gold (1998); the discovery
of subsurface water on Mars and the huge ocean on Europa, and possibly
also Ganymede and Callisto; the unequivocal discovery of amino-acids and
other complex organic compounds in meteorites; modelling organic
chemistry in Martian and Titan’s atmosphere; the quantitative treatment of
the Galactic Habitable Zone; the development of a new generation of
panspermia theories, spurred by experimental verification that even
terrestrial microorganisms survive conditions of an asteroidal or a cometary
impact; progress in philosophy and methodology, etc. (for recent beautiful
reviews see Des Marais and Walter 1999; Darling 2001; Grinspoon 2003).
(snip)
During that time a set of ideas which can be characterized as “orthodox” SETI has emerged. In a simplifiedform, it can be summarized as follows. Life is common in the universe.
Emergence of intelligence and technology is, if not necessary, then at least typical outcome of biological evolution throughout the Milky Way. A sizeable fraction of technological species are interested in communication with other intelligent creatures."

These ludicrous assertions should be in a textbook for non-sequitors.

Why does it follow that non-complex creatures surviving in extreme environs means that life IS (definitively stated) common in the universe? This is their least offensive statement. I'd have agreed with "indicates that there are cgreatly improved prospects for life surving elsewhere in unexpectedly extreme unorthodox environs".

Worse yet, where is a scintilla of evidence (cite any at your disposal, folks) that "emergence of intelligence and technology is typical"? Say what?
And folks here bristle at the accusation that SETI 'science' is really a religion or cult.
It sure has all the trapings of a religious cult.