(mostly joking) On the downside, it makes it really really hard to find post-apocalyptic evidence of alien species, from the other side of the universe.
"Sir, we've set up our 3 kilometre array of precisely calibrated space telescopes, capable of detecting the slightest wobble in the deep space radio frequencies, and automatically translating all possible alien languages!"
Aliens: No bueno. You'll actually need to find the 1 millimetre disc of quantum-lithographed Nickel buried on one of our physical moons, 1000 light years from your location. There, you'll find our entire history and knowledge! Enjoy! ;)
I mean, if you have the tech developed enough, you could etch such information on every rock you come across. With something like nano-machines or GMO'd bacteria. Probably have some info in the machines/bacteria anyway, but basic text but small would probably be more discoverable.
Imagine a stretch of desert extending past the horizon in all directions, each grain of sand containing a wikipedia-worth of information, mostly redundant. Hopefully useful, and not maddening like the monolith from 2001.
"Sir, we've set up our 3 kilometre array of precisely calibrated space telescopes, capable of detecting the slightest wobble in the deep space radio frequencies, and automatically translating all possible alien languages!"
Aliens: No bueno. You'll actually need to find the 1 millimetre disc of quantum-lithographed Nickel buried on one of our physical moons, 1000 light years from your location. There, you'll find our entire history and knowledge! Enjoy! ;)