When we imagine advanced civilizations, there’s always something bigger, better, and more advanced
than whatever came before it. There’s always another level to reach. But can progress really
go on forever? Or is there, somewhere, an upper limit to what can be achieved?
This is Unveiled, and today we’re answering the extraordinary question:
What if humanity were an omega civilization?
Are you a fiend for facts? Are you constantly curious? Then why not subscribe to Unveiled
for more clips like this one? And ring the bell for more fascinating content!
Our regular viewers know all about the Kardashev Scale, the famed system
for measuring the advancement of civilizations based on the amount of energy they can harvest,
and their technological achievements. The original scale featured Types One,
Two and Three, for groups with the power of their planet, star system,
and galaxy, respectively. But it has since been expanded to include Types Four and Five
(universe and multiverse), and Types Six, Seven and sometimes even Eight,
as theorists imagine civilizations that can move through multiple higher dimensions.
We can see that the focus of the Kardashev Scale broadly changes from Type Four onwards,
gradually shifting from the traditional measure of energy usage… to measure more the level of control
that any one civilization can exercise over its reality. With Types Six through Eight, there’s an
existence outside of reality (as we understand it) with the power to do anything and everything it
wishes. But where does this, or indeed any other system for measuring advanced civilizations, end?
There have been various alternative adaptations over the years, although the most famous is
probably John Barrow’s inverted scale, wherein he adopts a Kardashev-like tiered approach,
but instead applies it to an ever-increasing understanding of the subatomic microverse - rather
than the gargantuan multiverse. There was another rethink, too, in 2020, where researchers called
for a more qualitative approach, ranking civilizations into Classes Zero to Three,
based on how successfully they could merge with their environment.
Regardless, whether it’s a Class Three in the 2020 scale, John Barrow’s Type Six-minus, or
Kardashev’s more conventional Types Six to Eight, there always seems to be an upper-most limit to
how far we could go. And it’s only when we reach a point where it’s impossible to go any further that
we can categorically say we’re done. Ultimately, here is where an omega civilization operates. It’s
any group, being or entity that has absolute power and control over itself and everything else, on a
micro and macro scale. So, how does this happen? In our understanding of all Kardashev
civilizations up to Type Four, we do see a hierarchical system of control,
extending ever outwards. From Type Four to Five, though, we see the transition
from a single universe-worth of power, to a multiverse-worth. This is a truly massive
change and moment of acceleration, and it’s our first step into a truly hypothetical realm.
Type Six civilizations are characterized by a megaverse, a collection of multiverses and the
even higher dimensions that connect them all together. With Type Seven (and, in some cases,
Eight) there’s the omniverse. A collection of megaverses in a singular complex that, again,
houses all of reality. And, while this may sound bizarre, a multi-layered multiverse
like this can theoretically be built within most current models of string theory, which
propose up to an eleven-dimensional structure. This scaling up of dimensions in general, though,
is what dictates which reality each civilization can experience and understand. Humankind, which
is still so incredibly far away from that first major paradigm shift between Types Four and Five,
lives in a three-dimensional universe. We’re able to identify with the first dimension of length,
the second of height, and the third which is width. These (plus a simple understanding of
time) combine to make all the objects and experiences that constitute our reality.
For higher level civilizations, however, the higher dimensions are revealed. First of all,
the fourth dimension of time becomes much more dynamic. Next, we suspect that the laws
of nature would become malleable, too… and, at a high enough level, physics and mathematics
become not ways of seeing the world, but ways of controlling it and being it. This is the
omniverse. An infinite structure encompassing all of reality within itself.Seemingly, there’s
no going beyond it. Such a high-level structure is naturally difficult for us to fathom, seeing
as we’re still dealing in 3D only. But an Omega civilization will have had to have got there. And,
not only that, it will’ve had to have passed it. Because, incredibly, and somewhat incongruously,
this still isn’t the end, by some counts. Science has tentatively speculated on an
even higher-dimensional structure transcending the current model for string theory:
a hyperverse. The hyperverse is a multiversal structure of twelve dimensions or more,
extending to a theoretical maximum of twenty-six dimensions. The hyperverse, if true, would be
a higher-dimensional plane of existence within which even the omniverse floats like a bubble.
Even a collection of collections of multiple multiverses… would be faintly insignificant.
If we define an Omega civilization as the highest possible civilization,
then now even the omniverse isn’t good enough for it… and we have to move on.
We can, then, imagine further additions to the Kardashev scale. Perhaps one with the ability
to explore the fringes of the hyperverse; the next with the capability of colonising the hyperverse;
and finally, at Type Ten or Eleven, depending on which model you follow, a civilization that
has completed the hyperverse. This civilization will have explored every nook and corner of the
universe, multiverse, megaverse, omniverse, and all dimensions of the hyperverse. To them, time
would be meaningless, and space boundless. Their understanding of reality will have brought them to
the outer-outermost edge of existence. They’re the highest of the high, and truly an Omega force.
But actually, we can still define an Omega civilization differently. And as existing
further down the scale. From our perspective as human beings, anything Type Four or above
would be a god-like prospect. And we would be nothing more than ants from their point of view.
For many, then, a universal civilization would have enough to earn Omega status,
already. It will have mastered all that we physically know certainly does exist.
And that’s a pretty impressive achievement! At this stage, the concept of civilization - as we
understand it - could be a moot point…. with an omega civilization rather resembling an entity
as opposed to individual beings. Again, taking a god-like form, in our eyes.
This entity would perhaps be characterized by a collective consciousness, or at least a
consciousness that pervades, permeates, and has absolute control of the universe. Omnipotent,
omniscient, and always there. If humanity were at this stage, then
we would be gods. It’s just that, when we consider all the other levels and dimensions that various
theories say could exist after it, we’d still have something else to strive towards. The multi,
mega, omni, and hyperverses. And then, likely, something like an outerverse or a metaverse,
that’s outside the boundaries of reality dictated by even the hyperverse. If there
ever is an end to it, then that’s where the ultimate omega civilization will be found.
Life as an omega being probably wouldn’t be for everybody. Or, indeed, for anybody so long as they
contemplate it as a mere human being. Some of us might like the idea of having a galaxy to control,
or even a universe… because at least that level of power translates as something that’s physically
possible, in our minds. But, while the prospect of flitting through a multiverse might also feel
pretty cool, as we dive deeper and deeper down, and spread our wings further and
further out… the brilliant but, in this case, limited human brain truly begins to hurt.
For now, while we may never fully uncover the truth of these predictions for an omega endpoint,
the endless possibilities do at least capture our imagination, and lead us to question the
world that we do see around us. It’s no wonder that science fiction and superhero storylines
are so popular nowadays, as theoretical science seeks to bury us further and further into the
greatest possible questions. What is life? What is reality? How did it start, where will it end,
and could we ever hope to understand why the existence of anything has happened at all?
We’re a long way away from omega ourselves, but the wonders of just this universe are enough to
motivate us to seek those greater heights. To imagine a time in the distant, distant future,
when everything makes sense. And that’s what would happen if humanity were an omega civilization.
What do you think? Is there anything we missed? Let us know in the comments, check out these other
clips from Unveiled, and make sure you subscribe and ring the bell for our latest content.