Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in the observable universe

Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by AnIdiotOnTheNet on Monday June 25, 2018 @08:06AM (#17391645)

If you have the ability to live in space long enough to cover the vast distances between stars, why would you bother colonizing planets at all? Pretty much all the raw material you need is readily available in asteroids without having to deal with a steep gravity well or a thick atmosphere, and the star itself will give you plenty of energy to work with.

Pretty much every star system becomes habitable if you don't have to care about whether or not it has a planet that meets your species's environmental needs.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by bluGill on Monday June 25, 2018 @09:39AM (#17392302)

Only if gravity isn't a requirement of life. We know that bad things happen to humans when in low/zero-g for more than a month. What happens to when we are talking about lifetimes - science is exploring this topic but doesn't really have answers.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by magduf on Monday June 25, 2018 @10:29AM (#17392672)

A civilization advanced enough to colonize other star systems likely 1) is advanced enough to tweak their genetics to deal with low/zero gravity 2) is advanced enough to build a ship with artificial gravity (we came up with this idea long ago, go watch "2001", it's not hard).

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by gnode on Monday June 25, 2018 @09:58AM (#17392429)

> We know that bad things happen to humans when in low/zero-g for more than a month.

This is mainly because humans are adapted to live standing upright in gravitational conditions, with a pressure gradient across their body. If you take animals which are not adapted for this (e.g. large invertebrates from the sea) they're crushed by their own weight when taken out of a buoyant environment.

Even so, that doesn't make it infeasible to live in space for long periods of time. Artificial gravity can be generated with a centrifuge.

However, I would say it's likely that gravity is necessary for life similar to what we are familiar with to form in the first place. Earth's gravity facilitates the existence of dense fluids, allowing for the complex reactions of primordial life.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Model predicts we're the only advanced civilization in th... by raducu on Monday June 25, 2018 @12:21PM (#17393601)

Because controlling all of the resources of the galaxy, or at least having that option, shields your civilization from other less civilized/hostile civilizations?

[ Parent | on HN ]