This:

"Second, skeptics seem to have a hubris about them with respect to the scientific capabilities of our time, suggesting that current technology is all that’s necessary to explore all of both inner and outer space."

Jesus H. Blasted Christ yes! Serious philosophical criticism has been written out of 'respectable' scientific efforts for some time now, and that's not a position that can last very long. It's a damn shame that 'respectable' philosophy departments have also written out any possibility of serious philosophical criticism. When the paradigm gestalt shift finally occurs, we shall live in very interesting times.