Sixty years ago, famed physicist Freeman Dyson theorized that in their ongoing quest to find more living space and energy, advanced civilizations might choose to convert their solar systems into megastructures enclosing their star. This came to be known as a “Dyson’s Sphere,” a concept that inspired countless variations and similar concepts. A few years later, Nikolai Kardashev mentioned the Dyson Sphere while presenting his scheme for classifying extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) based on its level of technical development – aka. the Kardashev Scale.
In previous episodes, we examined the kinds of structures that a Type II and III Civilization might create. In this third and final installment, we looked at the types of megastructures a Type I+ Civilization might create (and that could include humanity someday). To break it down, these megastructures would belong to a civilization that had mastered its home planet (i.e., harnessing all of its energy sources) and was beginning to extend its presence across its solar system.
As always, these theoretical structures are a way to make futuristic predictions while also guiding SETI searches for potential technosignatures. Take a listen and be sure to check out the concept art of Neil Blevin at Soulburn Studios.
Stories by Williams 