Could we be one of the OLDEST civilizations in the galaxy?

On Jan 24, 2007, at 03:58 UTC, Jake wrote:

> Not only that, but it is to assume they somehow overcame what we
> believe to be the "Laws" of physics..

Like what? I'm not aware of any laws of physics getting in the way of
interstellar travel.

Our Oort cloud extends out to about one light year. Proxima Centauri
is about four light years away, and probably has a similar Oort cloud.
That leaves a gap of two light years -- at even 1% c, that takes only
200 years to cross. Seems like a sure thing that somebody's going to
take that leap. By the time our solar system is teeming with humanity
(and its descendants), that won't be any harder for them to contemplate
than going to Mars is for us now.

> Not to mention all the other
> problems associated with interstellar travel and spreading settlements
> all over the galaxy... Just because they may be very advanced doesn't
> necessarily mean they have overcome all these obstacles...

Except that we, as primitive as we are, can already see how to overcome
these obstacles without requiring any new physics. The technology
required is advanced, but the science we already understand is quite
sufficient. (For example, we'd probably need practical fusion
reactors, which we understand how to build in principle, but haven't
yet achieved technically.)

I'm not talking about FTL travel here, which would indeed violate some
laws of physics as we know them. Just ordinary means, like
electromagnitc catapults, laser sails, and rockets, will suffice.

Best,
- Joe

Joe Strout -- joe@...