Many results on the probability of life in the Universe assume that physics is close to a final answer, in particular that the theory of relativity is, at least, very approximately correct. But new astronomical observations and theoretical work suggest otherwise. Perhaps the Universe changes its laws as it expands, the constants of nature are wildly different near black holes and other high concentrations of matter, and ultimately the ``nothing can travel faster than light'' dogma is not
entirely correct. I examine these possibilities with reference to what they may imply to life in the Universe, and our prospects of ever establishing communication with alien civilizations.