Why We May Never Become a Type I Civilization
The likelihood that we will encounter the “Great Filter” threatens our ambition of transitioning to Type I Civilization.
The Kardashev Scale classifies civilizations based on their level of energy usage and technological advancement.
Type I Civilization can utilize and store all the energy from their host star. Humanity is currently transitioning to Type I Civilization, ranking at around 0.7.
Futurists estimate that we’ll become a Type I Civilization at least 100 years from now.
Yet, numerous hurdles surround this massive undertaking. There are several reasons why we may not get there at all.
The popular school of thought is that we might encounter what is known as the Great Filter.
The Great Filter
The Great Filter theory was first suggested by economist Robin Hanson. It posits that an “unknown something” happens to most civilizations in the cosmos when they reach a certain level of advancement.
The Great Filter acts as a barrier to the evolution of intelligent life.
