Final answer:
The discovery of Earth-like exoplanets since Kepler-22b has intensified the search for extraterrestrial life and broadened our understanding of planet formation, rather than reducing interest in individual exoplanets or the overall field.
Step-by-step explanation:
Since the discovery of Kepler-22b, the field of astronomy has seen the discovery of many other Earth-like candidates, which has significantly impacted the search for extraterrestrial life. These discoveries have intensified the search for extraterrestrial life rather than diminishing the importance of exoplanet exploration or disproving the habitability of Kepler-22b. In fact, they have challenged our conventional view of the formation of planetary systems and broadened our understanding of the diversity of planets that exist in the universe.
Science fiction has indeed prepared the public for the concept of other planets, possibly tempering surprise at real-world discoveries but such stories also spark interest in astronomy and can serve as educational tools. Furthermore the Kepler mission's objectives to quantify the frequency of Earth-like planets and extrapolate this information to the entire galaxy have provided unprecedented insights into the likelihood of life elsewhere.