BBC: Galaxy has 'billions of Earths'

Extrapolation done by Dr. Alan Boss of the Carnegie Institution of Science.  Based upon the 300+ planets found so far he has estimated that there are perhaps billions of earthlike planets in the galaxy.

So using his number that places us halfway through the Drake equation.

N = R* × f_p × n_e × f_l × f_i × f_c × L

[link: Drake Equation]

Of course the numbers get harder to know (or estimate) the further towards the right side of that equation.  But just think we didn’t even have the data to make an educated guess five years ago.

Somebody should sit down and write Declaration Of Principles Concerning Activities Following The Detection Of Extraterrestrial Intelligence...hey I found one it's called: "DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES CONCERNING ACTIVITIES FOLLOWING THE DETECTION OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL INTELLIGENCE"

more succinctly:

1. Double check your data.
2. Tell other observers so they can triple check your data.
3. Tell everybody. [everybody?  EVERYBODY! <-- a la Gary Oldman in the Professional (Great Movie).]
4. Tell all the scientists in detail and put all your data in the public domain.
5. Keep monitoring and, like, record it m'kay?
6. Clear up the frequencies from interference.
7. And for Pete's sake don't send a response until we've ALL talked about it first!

Seems rather common sense doesn't it?

This probably has little effect on the whole process.  The people that are going to keep it hidden will not report it, those that are predisposed to broadcast a discovery will.  This "Declaration" while neat will not influence them to change.

In my opinion there are two more reasons why this is not all that important:

1. I don't think this is something that can be kept quiet.
2. I think most [all] people would want this data shared and I think these rules are just common sense and I think this is how it would play out regardless.  (just my opinion, but them I'm a fairly optimistic guy).