156
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 27 May 2024
156 points (91.5% liked)
Showerthoughts
29816 readers
708 users here now
A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.
Rules
- All posts must be showerthoughts
- The entire showerthought must be in the title
- Avoid politics
- 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
- 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
- 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
- Posts must be original/unique
- Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
I don't know if this theory has a proper name but I have seen it multiple times.
If a species has the ability to push their technology to the point they could become a space faring species, that technology will destroy the civilization before it can get there
That is basically The Great Filter theory the OP was referring to.
It may depend on the rate they get to that point. Add in a dense energy source that's suddenly available and the rise of tech may be lethal. Perhaps the lucky ones don't have something like petroleum so their species matures long before they ruin their world.
Back up...dude with a 10th grade level understanding of biology and chemistry coming through with a question...
So carbon-based life forms can, under the right circumstances, decompose into long chains of hydrocarbons like Petroleum.
Does that mean silicon-based life forms under the right circumstances would break down into hydrosilicates like caulk?
I don't know about the end result under the same extremes. I do know that silicon life, while not impossible, it's probably unlikely. Silicon does parallel carbon in some ways including a similar location on the periodic chart (which is why it got attention from scifi writers), but the issue is simply silicon is nowhere near as "greedy" as carbon bonds.
But it is a big universe.