Ever since the telescope was introduced and most likely before, humans have been searching the universe for signs of life beyond their own little world. TV shows were created such as "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" to let the imagination roam free, and to paint a picture of what each indivdual thinks could be out there.
I admit I've had my own fanciful ideas , but recently I've been thinking (a rare occurrence in itself) not on what's out there, but why in the heck the human race really cares one way or another whats out there. Humans have a functional world, with enough diversity to spice life up a bit and seem to be doing fairly well on their own. So what's with the extra terrestrial hunt?
One reason may be the defensive mechanism in all of us. We need to study everythings just in case something goes wrong. It's a natural thing, but why should we be afraid of another intelligent form of life, if there are "aliens" then they might be searching for us too.
Maybe the reason humans are searching is the thirst for knowledge and just plain old curiosity. From the minute a human is born into the world curiosity seems to be attached with them. Children just can't explore enough to satisfy themselves and there is no adult that entirely grows out of that.
Since I am not an evolutionist I don't believe we're alone simply because our ancestors were lucky enough to be blasted into existance by pure chance. Since I really have no convincing proof of evolution I shall let that oppinion rest.
My last, and personal oppinion, theory of the interest in the cosmos is the, "Mommy, could you check under the bed for monsters?" theory. Though it may be a little long winded it gets my point across, and thats all I really need. Are humans searching the black heavens to try and prove to themselves that nothing is really out there? I believe that the world is trying to hide, the population is afraid it may not be the biggest kid on the block, or maybe the next victim of a cruel and heartless culture.
Proving over and over that we are indeed alone is comforting, and the more it is proved the easier we sleep at night. After all, the reason the universe was made was for humans, right? Well at least we have the comfort of the repeated proofs that we are truly alone in the universe, so we have nothing to worry about........do we?

Sincerely yours, Tim Lyons