Converting Gaseous Planets Into Matter

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical capabilities of a Type 3 Civilization, particularly the concept of converting gaseous planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus into matter. Participants explore potential applications of such technology, including energy generation and planetary colonization, while also questioning the nature of the materials these planets are composed of.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that a Type 3 Civilization could harness energy from gaseous planets for various purposes, such as powering starships or creating solid planets for colonization.
  • Others question the composition of these planets, suggesting that understanding what they are made of is crucial before discussing their conversion.
  • One participant suggests that the primary component, hydrogen, could be used as fuel, but challenges arise regarding the feasibility of burning hydrogen in the absence of oxygen.
  • Another viewpoint introduces nuclear fusion as a potential method for energy extraction, arguing that a Type 3 Civilization would likely have advanced capabilities beyond using gas giants for fusion.
  • Some participants discuss the classification of civilizations, noting that a Type 2 Civilization might use gas giants for fusion, while a Type 3 would have more extensive energy manipulation capabilities.
  • There is a suggestion that a Type 3 Civilization could potentially harvest energy from entire galaxies, raising questions about the methods of energy acquisition.
  • A humorous reference is made to popular culture, suggesting that the concept of a galaxy in a jar represents the capabilities of a Type 3 Civilization.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of viewpoints regarding the capabilities and methods of a Type 3 Civilization, with no consensus reached on the specifics of energy conversion or the implications of such technology.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully defined the assumptions behind the classifications of civilizations or the mechanisms of converting gaseous planets into matter, leaving several points open to interpretation.

Whitestar
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I've often wondered what a Type 3 Civilization could do if they had the technology to convert gaseous planets such as: Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus into matter. If they harness such energy, what would they use it for? To power up their starships, or perhaps create a solid rock planet for colonization instead? Thoughts anyone?


Whitestar
 
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Whitestar said:
I've often wondered what a Type 3 Civilization could do if they had the technology to convert gaseous planets such as: Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus into matter.
If not matter, what is it exactly that you think these planets are made of?


Whitestar said:
If they harness such energy, what would they use it for? To power up their starships, or perhaps create a solid rock planet for colonization instead? Thoughts anyone?Whitestar
Wouldn't it make more sense to start with 'what they're trying to do' and then ask 'how might they accomplish it'?
 
Seeing that they're mostly hydrogen, fuel sounds very likely.
 
εllipse said:
Seeing that they're mostly hydrogen, fuel sounds very likely.
Why? It's only hydrogen, the most common substance in the universe. I imagine you're thinking of burning it, which is easy, here on oxygen-covered Earth, but there's no oxygen on Jupiter.
 
I was thinking of nuclear fusion, something a type 3 civilization won't have any problems with.

In fact, a type 3 civilization would be way past the point of using gas giants for fusion.. that'd be more like type 1.
 
εllipse said:
I was thinking of nuclear fusion, something a type 3 civilization won't have any problems with.

In fact, a type 3 civilization would be way past the point of using gas giants for fusion.. that'd be more like type 1.

a type 2 would turn a gas giant into a new star if they had already exausted one sun. or I could be completely wrong, who knows :P.
 
Yes, a type II civilization is one that can harness energy from its solar system. This would include using gas planets in conversion processes.
 
Yea don't type III's use entire galaxies so do they harvest it star by star or just somehow take the entire galaxy?
 
Cladson said:
Yea don't type III's use entire galaxies so do they harvest it star by star or just somehow take the entire galaxy?
It doesn't matter. The definition is merely meant to cover *how much* energy they can (hypothetically) bring to bear.

As a type I civilization, we are (at least theoretically) capable of bringing the resources of an entire planet to bear. It matters not whether that be rock by rock.
 
  • #10
Cladson said:
Yea don't type III's use entire galaxies so do they harvest it star by star or just somehow take the entire galaxy?

funny as it may sound, I think the movie men in black had a simple representation of what a type 3 would use. a galaxy in a jar more or less.
 

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