by E.H. Shepard from A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh books

The Drake Equation - Question

Dear Barbara
 
I wonder if you could help me on a question concerning SETI.
 
The famous Drake equation seems to me would apply to all the galaxies in the Universe, if another term, namely the number of galaxies in the Universe, were added to the formula.
 
If this were the case wouldn't the number of technically advanced civilizations in the Universe capable of communicating with other solar systems be immense ? i.e. would it not be certain that other technically advanced life forms existed in our universe ?
 
Of course, with the speed of light as a limit, communication would take millions to billions of years, so presumably SETI searchers have decided that this would be a bit pointless - so the SETI search is only for our galaxy.
 
Is the above about right ?
 
Any advice / help appreciated.
Regards
 

Created: 22 October 2001