© 1975-1979, 2008 Robert A. Freitas Jr. All Rights Reserved.

Robert A. Freitas Jr., Xenology: An Introduction to the Scientific Study of Extraterrestrial Life, Intelligence, and Civilization, First Edition, Xenology Research Institute, Sacramento, CA, 1979; http://www.xenology.info/Xeno.htm

15.4  Type IV Civilizations:  Universal Cultures

Finally, we must mention the possibility of Type IV civilizations, intergalactic cultures spanning the breadth and width of the Universe. Such a community would commingle the individual cultures of a billion galactic associations, and might command the power of a billion trillion suns -- perhaps 10⁴⁷ watts. A universal civilization could seriously consider attempting such truly Herculean projects as changing the structure of spacetime, the deliberate slowing or reversal of entropy in our universe to achieve ultimate immortality, or the colonization of other universes (if they exist).

Last updated on 6 December 2008