"Visualizing future societies forces us to question our own society, searching through a lens of advanced technologies that do not exist today." . - Michio Kaku
What kind of civilization are we based on our technological development? Is there any way to measure our development by some method? How much do we take advantage of the resources our planet offers us?
Today we are tempted to think that we are a very advanced civilization in terms of technology. And of course, the difference compared to previous years is quite noticeable.
And is that every day new technologies that make life easier in all aspects, health, social, work, entertainment, etc. And of course, the more we advance technologically, the more energy demand we require. As we advance technologically, more energy demand exists. They are two elements that grow together.
Each day we go a little further and the truth is that with the passing of the years, we are noticing the difference. But have we really thought about how far we have come? At this point it is inevitable not to mention the Russian astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev
Well, Nikolai Kardashev is well known for his famous: Scale of Kardashev in which classifies civilizations into categories based on their technological progress and energy consumption.
This scale was proposed in 1964 and in it we can see three categories:
Type I (1016 W)
Type II (1026 W)
Type III (1036 W)
Although currently two new categories have been added by other astronomers, such as: Type IV (1046 W) and the definitive Type V.
The civilization of Type I would be a civilization capable of controlling all the available energy in a single planet and with a technological development similar to the one we currently have. It would be a civilization capable of controlling the climate, even taking full advantage of the energy we receive from our mother star the Sun. And the truth is that we do not yet approach this type of classification even though it is estimated that within about 100 years let's be a Type I civilization
In 100 years, humanity could possibly be considered a Type I civilization and with it we would only have a basic level of development compared to what Type III or Type V civilizations could do.
Type II Civilization:
Already at a much higher level, a Type II civilization would be completely capable of controlling its parent star and all the energy it can produce using technological structures in space (such as a Dyson Sphere) to extract all the energy that is generate star The energy of the star would be used directly to satisfy the energy demand of that civilization.
Furthermore, this type of civilization should already have the ability to use other planets as a shield against the threat of an asteroid on a collision course. Another solution to a problem like this would also be to move the planet in question, thus avoiding the collision. And all this can be done at will. They would be a civilization quite immune to extinction and all this energetic power would help them to begin a colonization by the universe and thus take a new step and become a more advanced civilization. They would go to the next level.
Dyson sphere (artistic representation)
Civilization of Type III:
A Type II civilization seems powerful enough to control its parent star but the fact is that a Type III civilization takes things to an infinitely higher level.
And it is that a civilization of this category could control the energy of a whole galaxy. Such a race would have to have all the knowledge of its galaxy and about the different types of energies. In addition to thinking that a race that presents such a level of development could be the closest thing to a cyborg. A being that could be said to be immortal or at least reach a fairly extensive standard of living. Even a civilization in this category could use the energy emitted by the black holes that are thought to exist at the center of galaxies. Even gamma-ray outbreaks that would be tremendously lethal for a lesser civilization could be used by this civilization as a source of energy.
Of course, a civilization like this, when wanting to cover an entire galaxy, will have to face the problem of traveling faster than light. Something that according to the laws of physics, indicate as improbable. However, such a civilization could dominate an entire galaxy despite these drawbacks.
It seems complicated to think that you can still raise the level but the truth is that if you can still more.
Originally the scale of Kardashev reaches the Type III civilization but to this day, there are scientists who think that a Type IV and V civilization may be possible.
For example, Type IV civilization could do all of the above by having knowledge of its entire galaxy. But expanding their range now to the entire universe and with it, they could overcome the acceleration of space. Even these civilizations could live inside super massive black holes with total comfort. An action of this kind today is considered impossible and cataloged as an authentic madness. The knowledge of the use of energies and applying laws of physics that today are still not discovered would be the weapon of this civilization to control everything.
And already the top. The Civilization of Type V. It would be the closest thing to being a god. Such a civilization would have absolute knowledge of the universe and could manipulate it at will.
The human race still needs much to learn to even reach the civilization of type I.
And is that the renowned scientist who made an appointment at the beginning of this post, Michio Kaku, thinks that the jump from civilization from type 0 to I is the most difficult that any civilization can face and mentions that: "Or we give the jump, or it will be the end of our civilization. "
As I mentioned before, it is estimated that in about 100 years we can possibly reach that level. But of course, first we must leave aside issues such as war, divisions on religious or any other subject, and begin to really focus on what matters. In being able to evolve as a species and take the next step, since extinction is always on our heels.
Nothing will be worth many years of progress if we do not start to row in the same direction. It would be a pity if everything were lost as a result of our pride and selfishness. Let us not become a civilization that by deaf ears wanted to disappear. May the sands of time not cover us and turn us into something that could have been and was not. It will depend on us to take that first step that will make the difference between life and death.
We'll see each other in the next post, people