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Exponential Expansion: Galactic Destiny or Technological Hubris?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 August 2017

B. R. Finney
B. R. Finney*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA

Abstract

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Is it our destiny to expand exponentially to populate the galaxy, or is such a vision but an extreme example of technological hubris? The overall record of human evolution and dispersion over the Earth can be cited to support the view that we are a uniquely expansionary and technological animal bound for the stars, yet an examination of the fate of individual migrations and exploratory initiatives raises doubts. Although it may be in keeping with our hubristic nature to predict ultimate galactic expansion, there is no way to specify how far expansionary urges may drive our spacefaring descendants.

Type
Section VII. The Fermi Paradox and Alternative Search Strategies
Information
Symposium - International Astronomical Union , Volume 112: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life: Recent Developments , 1985 , pp. 455 - 463
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1985 

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