Ulrich Walter
The SETI research has certainly its authorization, even if we will probably never experience over radio waves from the existence of strange cultures.
Space travel opens really completely new horizons. It unites humans and at the same time different ways of thinking.
Science astronauts must have an ear for the world there outside. Usually they travel much and meet therefore with different humans of all political Couleur and nationalities. There it is not missing that one argues also with international political and social topics.
Perhaps these understand then finally that there is only one earth that it makes at all no sense, to argue about borders. One can get off its in-trampled paths only if one made times a completely different one, fundamental experience. One must have seen it simple with own eyes. The logic alone is not often able to convince.
If at all, then I see a handful of ETIs in our Milky Way maximally. In the entire cosmos decided certainly more likes it to be. On an exact number to specify I would however not like me here.
I think for being not unsympathetic that their appearance may also appear, so differently it, must; similarly as with animals, which meet us in very different forms, which look somehow harmonious however all. On exactly such forms I would stand.
I spoke with many spacemen and Apollo astronauts concerning this. None of them ever saw a UFO or several.
At least believe this many humans, who are interested obviously in this topic. Many of them visited me after lectures and meetings, in hope that I can give concrete answers to their questions. For it was clear: If that does not know it, who is to then know it?
All Aliens, which I know so far from films, is outwardly not my thing: neither the small green males with the antennas still such, which gestelzt abstruse pointed ears, ulcers in the face or otherwise amusing appearance has.