Thoughts on alien life

I suspect that a great many different combinations of accidents of evolution, and random planetary events can lead to intelligent life, in various ways, at various times.
It seems likely that there are many elder races in our galaxy, but also that a continuum of development exists, with species both less and more intellectually, technically, and spiritually advanced than ourselves. Those nearest our level of development might find us of the greatest interest.
Travel, and communications throughout the galaxy in short periods of time may be possible, once a certain level of technical prowess is achieved. We've had science for such a short time on this planet, we're not really in a position to say that our current ideas about physical or technical limits will hold in the future. We already see some hints that they may not. Before the invention of the spectroscope, it was believed that we would never know the composition and nature of the stars. Now we do.
Supposing a widely populated  galaxy, and the possibility of intercommunication on this scale, we're entitled to ask-- 'so, where is everybody'? It may be that we've been left largely alone at our stage of development, and watched to see what we can do.

Now that we begin to penetrate space with our machines, and even send a few sailing out among the stars, we may warrant  more attention. A more advanced civilization in space may understand how we are likely to develop from this point onward.  They may see us meeting them face to face, in the not too distant future, especially if they think in term of longer spans of time than we usually do
They may deem it high time to begin preparing us for our meeting with them. I'm sure we could stand a few lessons in how to be good and responsible galactic citizens!