As humanity advances, we ask questions whose answers lie deep in outer space; we have started searching for planets that might be habitable for humans as well as for planets that might have extraterrestrial life. The question arises: what if we do find extraterrestrial life on another planet? Should we try to befriend them or should we keep our distance lest they turn out to be hostile? This is where the Kardashev scale of civilization comes into play.
The Kardashev scale measures a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy they consume. It was proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964. It comprised of:
1. Type-1(planetary) civilization: This civilization could harness all the energy from the resources on their planet as well as that which it receives from its star; this value is close to 1.74×1017 watts.
2. Type-2(stellar) civilization: This civilization could be capable of harnessing the energy radiated by its own star. For Earth the energy use would then be comparable to the luminosity of the Sun, about 4×1026watts.
3. Type-3(galactic) civilization: This civilization could harness energy at a galactic scale which is comparable to the luminosity of the entire Milky Way galaxy, about 4×1037 watts.
The following levels were not included by Kardashev in his original scale but have been theorized by scientists. Humanity is currently at level 0.73 on this scale, hence trying to understand energy consumption at such a monumental scale is almost inconceivable.
4. Type-4 civilization: This civilization would be able to harness the energy content of the entire universe, they would be able to tap into energy sources unknown to us using strange or currently unknown laws of physics.
5. Type-5 civilization: Here, beings would be like gods, having the knowledge to manipulate the universe as they please.
We are a long way away from becoming even a Type-1 civilization; however, it is surely possible only if we are able to preserve our tiny home, extinguish war and start thinking collectively in terms of a Civilization.
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