@Slimjim
Well, consider yourself the amazing coincidences that makes this planet suitable for long-term complex life at all, then add this with the amazing coincidences that let an intelligent life form evolve, and then the amazing coincidences that left it alone long enough to become civilised, I would say that, at a glance, nobody's going to answer SETI all that soon. The universe is a big place, but it's also vast one. There's absolutely no guarantee that there's another civilisation within a billion years of answering.
Using SETI to find alien civilisations is a bit like trying to get in touch with a lost brother on the other side of the world by throwing bottles with notes into the sea. Sure, if you throw enough, it might just work - but it won't be quick, for sure.
There's probably plenty of life in the stars near us. But it's probably too microscopic to answer. :-)
@cdog
I'm a scientist, I have no sense of adventure!
