The analogy doesn't really hold because ponds in the forest are going to be much more homogenous than planets. If every pond we looked was unique, we would probably be more interested in individuals.
Of course, there's no reason to assume that life on different planets is more diverse than different ponds, but it seems more likely.
Of course, there's no reason to assume that life on different planets is more diverse than different ponds, but it seems more likely.