Part 7/10:

In depicting a possible future, Arthur discusses how civilizations might face an existential dilemma: how to balance the growth of society against the risks of self-destruction. The fear of disaster may prevent civilizations from growing beyond small nomadic communities or isolated groups, furthering the alienation of individuals who choose solitary voyages across the universe.

Interestingly, Arthur presents a scenario where individuals fleeing these civilizational threats could harness advanced technologies for travel and sustenance. With resources such as fuel potentially lasting for trillions of years under certain conditions, the act of fleeing could evolve into a sophisticated endeavor involving the collection and inconsiderate diversification of resources across the cosmos.