BACKGROUND:
SIX FUNDAMENTAL POWERS 
Background
>
Universal Progression | Human
History | The Cultural Process
| Two Simplifications | Six
Fundamental Powers | Limits | Conclusion
This is the fifth
of seven parts to the proof that Calousia exists.
(1) Communication
(2) Transportation
(3) Energy
(4) Engines & Power Devices
(5) Synthesis
(6) Reduction
These powers arise as a consequence of trying to simplify our future search.
Since we cannot imagine all the possible areas of sci-tech growth,
We look instead to how this growth might influence
those powers basic to a high-capacity existence.
Why these Six? In general, first, because these powers are basic to a high-capacity existence - one or more of them would play a role in almost any manipulation - and, second, because they determine the depth and breadth of influence or control that intelligent beings can exert upon the universe.
Purpose for exploring the six fundamental powers. To discover whether the universe sets any limits to growing sci-tech’s capacity to keep increasing significant aspects of these powers. And, obviously, when our powers grow up to all existing limits, the more we find, the more distinctive and interesting the resulting condition.
These powers determine the size of the sphere within the universe over which any one system of intelligent beings can gain practical dominion. After all, one can interact with and influence only that portion of the universe one can practically reach. These powers also govern many interactions within this sphere. Re. communication, the significant aspects of are: speed, density (bits transmitted per second) and cost.
Re. transportation, the significant aspects are: speed and cost.
(3)
Energy
Energy is of course basic to all manipulations. This power
determines how much energy is available, particularly from the largest,
low-cost sources. Therefore, it not only determines the rate at which
high-capacity civilizations live, but it helps limit the maximum size,
or number, of giant projects that can practically be undertaken.
Two kinds of limits constrain the energy power. The first is to the number
of different basic means that efficiently access the largest kinds of
low-cost energy sources. The second is the degree to which the efficiency
of these means can practically be improved.
These devices provide the muscle for manipulations. They also help govern the size of manipulations that are practical, particularly at the extremes - at the nano scale and the astronomical scale. The significant aspects here are: energy sources, basic principles involved, design, materials, and capacity for improvement.
Synthesis is the making of things, both inanimate and animate. This power really encompasses all the others, but these others are useful, so we keep them.
Synthesis is divided into four realms: elemental,biological, astronomical and human. Each is further divided into three Degrees. First degree is the capacity to synthesize copies of the kinds of entities found on Earth and in the Solar system, a huge but limited category. Second degree is the capacity to make variations of first degree entities (i.e., Solar System entities), and this is an infinite category. After all, a fish could be elaborated into a mouse. And third degree is the capacity to make copies of the kinds of entities found beyond the Solar System, a colossal, but still limited category.
How is mastery of synthesis to be measured? For present purposes, let’s say that synthetic mastery of an item is proven by the capacity to efficiently produce it from the most difficult source: just energy.
The Calousians exuberant capacity for synthesis would soon overwhelm them if not for this power of eliminating items no longer desired and recycling their elements. Reduction is the power to make things disappear, to recycle them, to reduce them to their constituent atoms or elementary particles or to energy.
>Next Limits to the Six Fundamental Powers
© Warren A. Musser 2005