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But now you're hypothesizing Aliens + some extremely convenient energy source. In order to justify ignoring all the burning stars, it needs to be easier to tap
by indrax 10y ago
But now you're hypothesizing Aliens + some extremely convenient energy source.
In order to justify ignoring all the burning stars, it needs to be easier to tap than solar and much much more energy than all the stars will ever generate. I think that requires new physics.
Really the energy source must be infinite. If you can see that it will run out in a trillion years and you can survive for another billion by harvesting suns, somebody will.
We have nuclear power but still dam rivers, and I think beavers notice.
OTOH If there is a source of unlimited free energy, maybe some of those bright spots in space aren't stars at all.
- Trundle 10y agoAren't you hypothesizing aliens + making human whims seem like universal goals? I don't think there needs to be an easier source of energy than solar to justify not tapping stars, just lack of desire.
- derekp7 10y agoThis is kind of like how we currently have 8tb drives, but many systems are shipping with 128 or 256gb drives. In that case, the trade-off is for the speed of SSDs.
- dogma1138 10y agoOr lack of ability if FTL is completely impossible relativity puts a limit on the size of a civilization. And the universe can easily out a time limit on it as well because extinction events can happen. Even if we move onto mars a GRB would cook all of us. And even if it's something considerably more boring then expanding to other planets or even star systems might not save a civilization from collapsing.