The same way anyone understands the mind of anyone else. Indirectly at best.
That said, if you apply a combination of game theory and some knowledge of biology, it becomes pretty clear that hiding in a hole and waiting passively to be stumbled upon does not have any upside. The galaxy is bursting with raw resources, and any life hell-bent on expanding (which is already a very questionable motivation) is obviously better off moving into territory that has no native life to contend with. In which case it is obviously very much in our interest to broadcast our presence as loud and clearly as possible, so the expansionists can steer clear.
If the galaxy becomes overrun with life and new space and energy becomes scarce, in, let's say, five hundred million years, perhaps that calculus will change. Assuming further technological innovations haven't made it a non-issue.
no subject
That said, if you apply a combination of game theory and some knowledge of biology, it becomes pretty clear that hiding in a hole and waiting passively to be stumbled upon does not have any upside. The galaxy is bursting with raw resources, and any life hell-bent on expanding (which is already a very questionable motivation) is obviously better off moving into territory that has no native life to contend with. In which case it is obviously very much in our interest to broadcast our presence as loud and clearly as possible, so the expansionists can steer clear.
If the galaxy becomes overrun with life and new space and energy becomes scarce, in, let's say, five hundred million years, perhaps that calculus will change. Assuming further technological innovations haven't made it a non-issue.