It seems like there are planets in most star systems. Even given what's been called a "gross underestimation" of 10^24 stars in the (observable) universe, even if you define some habitable zone based on our n=1 experience, even if you take some away based on the OP paper saying flares might make things a little harder at Prox, then that's still many Sagans* worth of planets, each of which gets a shot at growing telescope builders. That's a lot of chances.
It seems like there are planets in most star systems. Even given what's been called a "gross underestimation" of 10^24 stars in the (observable) universe, even if you define some habitable zone based on our n=1 experience, even if you take some away based on the OP paper saying flares might make things a little harder at Prox, then that's still many Sagans* worth of planets, each of which gets a shot at growing telescope builders. That's a lot of chances.
* "billions and billions"