We reported on Wednesday the discovery of chemicals associated with living organisms on a planet 120 light years away: “Scientists have detected an encouraging potential sign of life on a planet in a different solar system in what they believe is the ‘strongest indicator’ that life exists beyond Earth.”
What is the word “encouraging” doing there? We have no idea whether life elsewhere in our galaxy would be good or bad for us. The finding was interesting enough in itself, without us trying to dictate to the reader whether they should be pleased or – if they have read any science fiction at all – alarmed.
