NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Galactic-scale civilizationEvolutionary arguments are presented in favor of the existence of civilization on a galactic scale. Patterns of physical, chemical, biological, social and cultural evolution leading to increasing levels of complexity are pointed out and explained thermodynamically in terms of the maximization of free energy dissipation in the environment of the organized system. The possibility of the evolution of a global and then a galactic human civilization is considered, and probabilities that the galaxy is presently in its colonization state and that life could have evolved to its present state on earth are discussed. Fermi's paradox of the absence of extraterrestrials in light of the probability of their existence is noted, and a variety of possible explanations is indicated. Finally, it is argued that although mankind may be the first occurrence of intelligence in the galaxy, it is unjustified to presume that this is so.
Document ID
19810041225
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Kuiper, T. B. H.
(California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Calif., United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1980
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: Strategies for the search for life in the universe Meeting
Location: Montreal
Country: Canada
Start Date: August 15, 1979
End Date: August 16, 1979
Accession Number
81A25629
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS7-100
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available