The universe is immense. Chances are that life starts on zillions of planets and under very different conditions. When circumstances permit, the number of species explodes on such planets. Chances also are that life in most cases ultimately leads to self-extinction. One among zillions of species eventually dominates the entire planet, and it destroys all preconditions for life in due course. But there is always a chance that one among zillions of species on zillions of planets manages to survive against all odds without jeopardizing life on its planet. In such a case, chances are that the species in question will in time spread across its galaxy. Sooner or later, the whole universe will be its home. In the limit, that is the only way for life to match the timeline of the universe itself. Could the human species ever achieve such a formidable feat? Chances are rather slight, just a smidgeon above the almighty naught, but they are far from negligible nonetheless. Behold, optimism past compare. Optimism as such, as it were.