The KARDASHEV Scale (types 0 to VI)
meta explanatory reference for god(s) / aliens / first ancestral race in evangelion.
In 1964, Russian astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev figured that civilizations can be categorized by the total amount of energy available to them. He defined three levels of civilizations based on their capacity to harness and use power. These have since been expanded by another four (in light of the increasingly wild speculations spawned by marrying mathematics and theoretical physics).
The Kardashev Scale now lists 7 levels of civilizations based on their power consumption, and implicitly on their technological advancement and extension.
𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄 𝟎. A civilization that harnesses the energy of its home planet, but not to its full potential just yet. We’re currently at about 0.73 on the Kardashev Scale. It is presumed we’ll reach type I in about 100 years depending on how fast our technology advances and how diligently we procreate.
𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄 𝟏. A civilization that is capable of harnessing the total energy of its home planet. This is where we’re heading, we’d achieve an ultimate peak but we’d then soon have more energy demand than supply, because evolution can’t be so easily halted. We’d have to leave Earth and start pumping other planets for their worth, or even milk our own star directly for its power. As a type I civilization, we would be capable of controlling Earth entirely. Maybe even influence the weather, control volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, influence global flora and fauna, geological makeup, plate tectonics, etc.
𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄 𝟐. An interstellar civilization, capable of harnessing the total energy output of a star. This is the next stage in the evolution of a civilization, and presumes a level of technological development that allows for gigantic constructions and utmost efficiency. Dyson structures come to mind here, which are gigantic constructs meant to harness the energy of stars. A type II civilization would not just built these megastructures, but also inhabit them and completely control what goes on inside them. It would control the orbit of all planets in that system, harvest asteroids and comets at its leisure, and basically consume the entire solar system.
𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄 𝟑. A galactic civilization, capable of inhabiting and harnessing the energy of an entire galaxy. A type III civilization would span the entire galaxy, colonizing and controlling numerous systems. It would be able to harness, store and use the energy output of all stars within that galaxy. Such a civilization would use planets like building blocks, being able to move planets from one solar system to other, merge solar systems, merge stars, absorb supernovae, and even create stars. The galaxy is their playground, and everything in it becomes a toy.
Past this point beings would be considered godlike and it’s hard to speculate the nuances and details of each type as their capabilities surpasses our understanding of time and space.
𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄 𝟒. A universal civilization, capable of harnessing the energy of the whole universe. This civilization would be super and inter galactic, able to travel throughout the entire universe and consume the energy output of several —possibly all— galaxies. It would also be capable of projects of gargantuan proportions, such as manipulating space-time and tinkering with entropy, thus reaching immortality on a grand scale.
𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄 𝟓. A multiverse culture, capable of harnessing the energy of multiple universes. It would span countless parallel universes, beings would be like gods having the knowledge and being able to manipulate the very structure of reality and create universes at will.
𝐓𝐘𝐏𝐄 𝟔. Even more abstract is the type VI civilization. The type VI exists outside of time and space, and is capable of creating universes and multiverses, and destroying them just as easily. It’s similar in concept to a deity.
sources + further reading: x, x, x, x.
