We may not need FTL travel, at least for interstellar exploration, as opposed to intergalactic. Even a ship going at 50% of light speed would put hundreds of stars within a reasonable time-frame, especially coupled with advances in cryogenic technology. If humanity's only goal is to avoid extinction by colonising another planet (what a dreary prospect), then this ought to be quite enough.
Or maybe the universe is indifferent to our goals, and we're stranded in this rock without sufficient materials and ways to get away, no matter how inventive we can be.
(The same way inventiveness doesn't matter if you found yourself in the middle of Antarctica with no food, no heating, and no materials to make a compass).
