“Organized mayhem,” Nick commented, “seems to be the chief preoccupation of intelligent species everywhere.” — Jack Mcdevitt

“One should always be skeptical. That’s always been our problem. We have too many believers.”

“Believers in what?”

“In everything.”

What would happen is that people like Geroge and Alyx would grow old and die chasing a dream. Although there were probably worse things to do with one’s life.

One could not always put safety up front as the prime goal. Do that, and who would ever achieve anything of note?