re: Quo Vadis Homo Futuris ?
"What will succeed us and/or explore the universe, I know just can't be who we are today."
Oh, but that will be an 'extension of those who we are today?'.... absolutely!!!!
I have no doubt, none whatsoever. Why? Because we ARE an intelligent species. Who knows, we might, just might meet soneone else in a similar situation someday or just the remnants or the relics of their civ. left behind or even less exuberant... microbes.
----
I know, that sounds cheesy and maybe oiutragous, but there you go.
Bottom line, if we are to find sighns of life on another exoplanet and the results are similar to ours, be sure that there would be not just one, but several Columbus-type humans that will be willing to explore.