Why we might be alone in the Universe

[Anomalocaris]

Why does the Prime Directive apply at all?

It does not apply.  Like much of Star Trek it is a conceited delusion about the degree of convergence possible between the dictates of its moral aesthetics and those of tge most powerful motivations of our specie.

But interference does not necessarily serve any useful purpose commensurate with the trouble,  So lack of interference does not imply any sort of equivalent of the prime directive

[madog]

To all you Trekkie's  .... I am an Atrekkie.

To be clear: Atrekkism is not a disbelief in Startrek or a denial of Startrek Command; it is a lack of belief in Fiction. 

[Jehanne]

As has been pointed out by skeptics, ET would have written, "You are not alone":

[Gawdzilla Sama]

As has been pointed out by skeptics, ET would have written, "You are not alone":

Aliens have grammar nazis too?