We have read in history about different civilizations, But this is confined only to human brings on a planet called Earth. What if we classify civilizations on an astronomical scale? This is called the Kardashev scale.
Suggested by a Soviet physicist, Nikaloi Kardashev in 1964, this scale classifies the civilizations and their technological advancement based on the energy consumption. The scale was classified into 3 types, type 1 (planetary), type 2 ( stellar) and type 3 (galactic). Later the scale was extended to to other types, type IV (universal), type V (multi universal) and type 0 was added.
The first one, type 1 civilization, utilizes, the energy of the planet to its full potential. They have the capability to harness the whole energy from its parent star falling on its home planet. They can manipulate the planet’s weather, climatic conditions and even control natural disasters and manipulate them to their advantage (harnessing energy from tsunamis or from earthquakes). The civilization can convert the regions of the planet which are inhabitable to habitable regions, for example, converting a desert region to a fertile green place. A typical type 1 civilization would be bidding goodbye to non-renewable energy (like fossil fuels). There will be one language, one currency and one form of governance.
The type 2 civilization is basically advancing the civilization to a stellar level, this category would be achieving the capability to harness the whole energy of its parent star. The civilization would be building a giant sphere around the parent star to capture all the energy. This civilization would reach a multi planetary civilization status, where they would be setting up colonies on the planets in its start system, They would terraform the planets or even the moons, to make them habitable. They even have the capability to deflect any potential hazardous objects from space (like asteroids) which can wipe out the civilization living on this planet. The best example of a type 2 civilization is star trek move,
What if we have the capability to travel to other star systems? This is possible when you become a type 3 civilization. A type 3 civilization will harness all the energy of the galaxy. The civilization will posses the technology to travel faster than light, they will go explore other star systems, setup colonies on the planets and harness energy from those stars, The advancement in science will be rapid that this civilization would be racing towards immortality, Disease will be a thing of a past, population would be exploding but this will be dealt through interstellar colonization, The movie star wars is a perfect example for a type 3 civilization.
At this point we will be inching towards divinity; the type IV civilization will utilize all the energy of the universe. This civilization will know every nook and corner of the universe. Intergalactic travel will be easier, We would be exploring the black holes and gain full knowledge about the dark energy and ways to harness it. At this point, we would be meeting alien civilizations Tine travel and teleportation will become easier,
Type V civilization, this is how we become gods, at this point, the civilization will possess mastery over all the laws of physics and the laws of nature. The beings of type V will be immortal, There will be exploring other universes at ease (if they exist).
Well coming to humanity, where does it stand on Kardashev scale?, before that the Kardashev scale is mere an assumption as we never met extra-terrestrial civilizations which scaled through different types of the Kardashev scale. Humanity did not even reach the type 1 status, to be precise we are still a type 0 civilization (a civilization which has not yet harness the full energy potential). We are still not using the Sun’s energy at a maximum potential but dependent on fossil fuels, There is no hope lost here, We are fast progressing towards achieving the type 1 status, According to Carl Sagan, we are at 0.7 on the Kardashev scale. Physicists predict that humanity will attain the type 1 status in another 100 years, Extensive research Is going on developing technologies to harness the solar energy and various renewable energy sources, Internet is fast progressing to make all the human beings on this planet get connected digitally. Digital currency is fast progressing to take over the one currency status. Organizations like UNO, EU are the example how a common governance can help, Use of artificial intelligence will help in the progression to towards type 1 civilization and also all the other stages,
Easier said than done, it is not so easy to progress through the Kardashev scale, lot of factors come into picture and there is high chance we may not make towards the end, the progression depends on how we enrich our civilization without destroying ourselves. Let us hope that someday humanity will plant its flag on the peak of the Kardashev scale
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