4 ms·
the distance between solar systems is so incredibly massive, and the impossibility of FTL so real, it doesn't even matter That also doesn't matter. Another sta
by stcredzero 3y ago
the distance between solar systems is so incredibly massive, and the impossibility of FTL so real, it doesn't even matter
That also doesn't matter. Another star is going to come close enough to any given star, often enough, that the entire galaxy could be colonized without ever having to travel that far that fast. (Look up Issac Arthur's "Crawlenizing the Galaxy" idea.)
we'll be gone by then anyways
It's the combination of distance AND civilization longevity that does it. Considering that we are in an exponential process of change, it doesn't seem like we'll be around long enough in our current form as a civilization.
- awb 3y agoCommunication is still a problem. A colony 5 light years away means 10 years before you get a response. For all intents and purposes most colonies will be independent and unable to act efficiently in unison with other colonies towards a strategic objective. Similar to how humans migrated out of Africa and then discovered each other again after they had created different cultures, belief systems and ways of living.
- stcredzero 3y agoCommunication is still a problem. Not for carpeting a galaxy with descendants of humans.
- awb 3y agoRight, but how could colonies over such great distances have any meaningful commonality or purpose? Homo Sapiens evolved ~300k years ago. The Milky Way is ~100k light years across. It’s possible you’d have different species colonizing different sectors of the galaxy. And those species might be just as likely to compete with each other rather than cooperate.