Not really. People play video games because they're fun. They really don't play COD or Battlefield to simulate real-world experiences and these games could in no way be considered real-world simulators. In these games, gameplay is everything. One reason there are no civilians in these games is that they don't need to be there. Their presence would not enhance the game. Might just be as simple as that.

I thought I might tweet XBOX support and ask why they ditched the colours on the buttons. Offical reply is "Just a decision to go with the cool new look". So... I'll just have to get the paints out then.

See, this is why I keep my own squid.

Exactly. That's the problem with the Drake Equation, very quickly you have to pull key key figures out of thin air. It's not science, and it's not maths. It's only fun speculation .

It's about how we understand the universe and our place in it. As others have said, understaning is of value in itself. Plus, we don't know where this knowledge will take us. To say nothing of the huge theological and philosophical implciations that this brings. As such I actually think this is a really exciting discovery.