X-Message-Number: 21650 From: "mike99" <> Subject: RE: More on Galactic Civilizations Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2003 14:43:13 -0600 > -----Original Message----- > Message #21645 > Subject: More on Galactic Civilizations .... > I've said before that I doubt that advanced civilizations are common, > though for other reasons than the argument above. One weakness I > see in it > is that there could be a big tradeoff between how fast a > civilization could > expand versus how much "control" it could really exert at distances of > thousands of light years. It wouldn't do for a far-flung civilization to > break up into many warring factions, for instance. With slower > growth might > well come greater wisdom and greater security for the individuals. Also I > think that the galaxy, even in relatively small volumes of space, > would in > many cases furnish ample resources to support a civilization for a very > long time, which would lessen the urgency of expansion, possibly to a > near-vanishing point. > > Mike Perry The issues that Mike has expressed concisely above are also addressed in the excellent SF novel of John C. Wright _The Golden Age_. If you haven't already bought the hardcover edition, rush right out and get the newly issued softcover. Wright plots the course of a far future human civilization that has had practical immortality for centuries. The issue of whether to expand beyond the solar system or remain huddled around our native star is at the core of this fascinating work by a first-time novelist. Wright is someone to watch. And to keep reading, since the story in _The Golden Age_ will continue in a second volume titled _Phoenix Exultant_ due later in 2003. Michael LaTorra Member: Extropy Institute: www.extropy.org World Transhumanist Association: www.transhumanism.org Alcor Life Extension Foundation: www.alcor.org Society for Technical Communication: www.stc.org Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=21650