Civilization Scale
Kardashev Scale
The Kardashev scale proposed by Russian astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev is a method of measuring a civilization's level of technological advancement, based on the amount of energy a civilization is able to utilize.[1] The scale has three designated categories:
- A Type I civilization—also called a planetary civilization—can use and store all of the energy which reaches its planet from its parent star.
- A Type II civilization—also called a stellar civilization—can harness the total energy of its planet's parent star (the most popular hypothetical concept being the Dyson sphere—a device which would encompass the entire star and transfer its energy to the planet(s)).
- A Type III civilization—also called a galactic civilization—can control energy on the scale of its entire host galaxy.[2]
Issues of Energy Utilization
However, there are issues regarding energy harness and utilization from a point of view. Earth is an energy globe with its inherited energy[3]. The questions are:
- Is Earth capable of taking more than what is given by the Sun?
- Isn't a higher level of carbon dioxide harnessing more energy from the Sun?
- Isn't Earth a living example of wasteful harness and utilization of its energy?
- What is the consequence of energy utilization equal to or exceeding what is attained on a home planet?
Alternative Civilization Scale
Alternatively, it can be measured by a civilization's capability of commanding the cycle and recycle of energy and matter; the mastery of fundamental elements of the universe[3]
Space is the first and the most fundamental aspect of the universe[4]. The power of space is its shapelessness, actionlessness, and timelessness. It is not affected by mass or force, even hyper-nova cannot dent it. Consider space has room for the universe. Let anything move freely without any restriction, but nothing can escape from it. It has nothing, but nothing can come to exist without it. We have learned to manipulate matter and energy since our first existence on Earth, however, never space that is right in our hands. There is nothing powerful enough to challenge space, not even the combined might of total matter and energy of the universe. Mastery of space can only likely be science fantasy.
On the other hand, mastering energy and matter is possible. Even matter and energy are limited by space, but it is unlimited to a civilization. The infinite supply of energy and matter is guaranteed by perfect cycle and recycle. There is always more than a civilization can utilize in its surrounding, if mastery of resource cycle is achieved.
- Type 0: Parasitic. A civilization lives on a host planet; extracts resources from the host without benefiting the host. Its objective is focused on controlling resources; progress is commanded by interests; and, effort is enslaved by benefits but rewarded to few. It lacks clear objectives and commitments to achieving a higher civilization. It is unable to recover from the altered environment caused by its activities. The civilization is trapped in its mistakes of uncorrected errors. It is struggling to find a way out.
- Type I: Energy Mastery. A civilization has achieved free and clean energy in perfect cycle. Energy is essential to re-engineer the structure of matter. Achieving complete proficiency in energy is the basis of matter mastery. For example, how large could the research and production projects on Earth and in space be undertaken, if the energy cost is trivial or free? At this stage, progress will accelerate at an exponential rate.
- Type II: Energy and Matter Mastery.. A civilization has achieved the knowledge and technology of mastering energy and matter in perfect cycle. It is capable of engineering unique structures of matter that cannot be done by random or lengthy processes of nature. Resource scarcity is no longer an issue. Waste is eliminated. No more exploitation of natural resources of its home planet. Even agriculture is not necessary. The civilization is the guardian of its host planet.
Prospect of Human Civilization
It is needless to say where our place in the scale is. The issue is, whether we are capable of achieving a higher level of civilization? Nature has given us adequate opportunity to achieve the highest civilization, but not without a due date. Do you believe there is more leeway for us to set our objectives straight and pursue them aggressively?[3]
References
Civilization Scale
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- ↑ Kardashev, Nikolai (1964). "Transmission of Information by Extraterrestrial Civilizations". Soviet Astronomy. 8: 217. Bibcode:1964SvA.....8..217K.
- ↑ Kardashev, Nikolai. "On the Inevitability and the Possible Structures of Supercivilizations", The search for extraterrestrial life: Recent developments; Proceedings of the Symposium, Boston, MA, June 18–21, 1984 (A86-38126 17-88). Dordrecht, D. Reidel Publishing Co., 1985, p. 497–504.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huang,, Cres. Comprehensive study of mysteries in science : proposed fundamental principles and civilization scale (2015(01)-preview ed.). [Taiwan]. ISBN 9789574327461. OCLC 933794014. Search this book on
- ↑ Cres,, Huang,. Comprehensive study of mysteries in science : a brief experiment of space (2014(01)-preview ed.). [Taiwan]. ISBN 9789574320271. OCLC 907880633. Search this book on
