The Physics of ET Civilizations

6 Comments

1. John says:

   November 4, 2003 at 7:34 am

   How does one get to be a theoretical physicist, exactly? If I understand it correctly, theoretical physicists just kind of hang out and talk about things that don?t exist. How cool is that? There are lots of ?Crazy Relatives? out there who are locked up for that kind of trash talk.

   Seriously, I enjoy articles like this. Since they are written by scientists who extrapolate and theorize based on the bleeding edge discoveries, they have that built-in Sense of Wonder that all sf fans love. With their 50,000 light-year-view, they always tend to put things in perspective (like a relaxing weekend after a hectic work week). Reading articles like these spawn so many “what if?” questions.

   The SIM sounds way cool. So do the Von Neumann probes. Also, I never realized that “earth receives about one billionth of the suns energy, and humans utilize about one millionth of that.” Wow.

   It?s an interesting point of view to consider a civilization by its energy consumption. Somehow, I am humbled by being part of a Type 0 civilization. It?s so low-class. Do you think Type II Civilizations are looking at us and laughing? ?Look at zem Terran pig-dogs with their puny wars and complete lack of planetary energy control. Ze only good thing to emerge from their slime are ze supermodels.? (This is all said with a pseudo-alien/French/german accent, of course.)

   Maybe knowing that we are Type 0 somehow elevates us to Type I? No? Oh well.

   Educational and fun reading. Thanks for the link!

   Reply
2. JP says:

   November 4, 2003 at 10:07 am

   These types of articles always get me wishing for some sort of longevity treatment. I mean, look at “ze puny und patetic Type 0.5 civilization what with ze orbital habitats made wit ze asteroids und all“. Come on, that’s cool for such a lowly civilization! I wonder how one can get a gig as a theoretical physicist without having to get up close and personal with all actual physics?

   Reply
3. JP says:

   November 4, 2003 at 12:51 pm

   I should have linked this earlier.

   Lot’s of interesting ideas at:

   Orion’s Arm.

   Reply
4. John says:

   November 4, 2003 at 10:40 pm

   [sigh]

   I picked up a copy of Michio Kaku’s book Hyperspace tonight at HPB.

   I got it because I really like Kaku’s easy-to-read, plain-English writing style and the subject matter is just so damn interesting. But, darn it, I already have way more books than I can ever possibly hope to read in my lifetime!

   I am hopeless.

   But at least I have this way cool book!

   Reply
5. JP says:

   November 6, 2003 at 8:42 am

   You have a problem John. Definately.

   However, I can help you out. I’m willing to read the book for you!

   No, don’t thank me. Just give me the book….

   Reply
6. Jay Manifold says:

   November 7, 2003 at 8:28 am

   All credit to Michio Kaku. I am not a physicist, nor do I play one on TV.

   Many thanks for the link!

   Reply