March 04 2008 / by futuretalk
Category: Space Year: Beyond Rating: 9
By Dick Pelletier
Imagine if you could take an exotic vacation billions of light
years from Earth, or peek in on the dinosaurs’ first-hand, or jump
into a parallel universe where another you is living a more
exciting life than yours; and you could swap places if you
like.
For years, scientists have bandied about radical ideas that
future humans will one day harness wormholes to zip across the
universe at faster-than-light speeds to explore vast distances in
space, travel through time, and visit other universes.
Now, researchers at the Cern Particle Accelerator believe their
machine can recreate conditions like the “big bang,” which brought
time and space into existence, and create baby black holes and
wormholes; elements that many believe offer the best chance to
validate or dispute the concept of developing faster-than-light
travel.
In 1964, astronomer Nikolai Kardashev devised a method to
categorize advanced civilizations based on energy consumption.
Type-I utilizes all solar energy that strikes its planet, Type-II,
controls all energy in its solar system, and Type-III harnesses
power from every star in its galaxy. Others have since added
Type-IV, which masters the entire energy output of a universe.
Physicists’ rate today’s humans at Type-0.7. In The Runaway
Universe, author Don Goldsmith reminds us that Earth receives only
one billionth of the suns energy, and that we utilize just one
millionth of that; but with nanotech and strong AI advances
expected by mid-century, forward-thinkers predict we could reach
Type-I by 2100.
The following list estimates the times humanity could reach each
new civilization level:
• Type-I, 2100. At this level, we will capture all solar energy
striking our planet, which will increase today’s energy supply by
100-billion times. Molecular nanotech and warp-drive propulsion
will trigger a rush to space and create an affluent, peaceful
society where it is no longer viable to waste energy on
intra-global conflicts. Say goodbye to crime and wars.
• Type II, 2200. Exponentially-advancing technologies could help
achieve this level within one century. We will mine all solar
energy, increasing power by 100-billion again. We will establish
space colonies throughout our solar system and on planets orbiting
nearby stars.
• Type-III, 3000. We again increase energy supply by
100-billion. In his book, Parallel Worlds, Michio Kaku says
Type-III’s will derive power from every star in their galaxy and
could learn to control unstable time and space. We will traverse
wormholes through vast distances in space and begin time travel
excursions. Type-III’s will join other species in a Star Trek-like
federation to “boldly go where no man has gone before.” Move over,
Captain Picard.
• Type-IV, 12000. Wild dreams are now possible as we approach
the ultimate limits of our journey. We control all power in the
universe, and can visit our “other selves” in parallel universes.
Type-IV’s roam throughout the “multiverse” in a never-ending quest
for more intelligence.
Could our “magical future” unfold in such a bold manner?
Although it took 2 million years for us to leave the safety of the
forests and build a modern civilization, it may take only a few
hundred years to leave our friendly solar system and begin this
amazing adventure to the stars.
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