BACKGROUND:
LIMITS TO THE SIX FUNDAMENTAL POWERS 
Background
> Universal Progression |
Human History | The Cultural Process
| Two Simplifications | Six
Fundamental Powers | Limits
| Conclusion
This
is the sixth of seven parts to the proof that Calousia exists.
(1) Limits to the Communication Power
(2) Limits to the Transportation Power
(3) Limits to the Energy Power
(4) Limits to Engines, Motors and Other Motion-producing Devices
(5) Limits to the Synthesis Power
(6) Limits to the Reduction Power
How
do we know that Calouisa exists?
Here’s the proof.
It lies in the limits, the limits the universe sets
To growing sci-tech’s capacity to keep increasing our six fundamental
powers.
This chapter provides brief summary of the six fundamental powers. It
gives their important aspects and explains the approach to finding limits,
and the limits found, if any.
Important! To repeat: the summary here is
extremely brief. We will display the detailed proof of Calousia’s
existence when we receive permission from our many sources.
(1) Limits to the Communication Power
The most important aspects of communication, as noted above, are speed,
cost and message density, i.e., the number of bits sendable a second.
With respect to speed, Einstein provides the currently held limit: the
speed of light, 300,000 kilometers per second. Nothing can go faster.
This is a most powerful limit; nevertheless, since we attempt to look
long into the future, we must entertain the possibility that scientists
might somehow find still faster means. If they do, two possibilities exist.
The first is a means faster than light, but not faster than a certain
speed. In this case, this new speed, whatever it is, would become the
new and final limit. The other possibility? There is no limit. Future
beings will find ways to communicate across the galaxy instantly, even
across the universe instantly. Improbable as this is, it creates a new
limit, that of instantly. It’s just not practical to communicate
faster. In sum, we find that the universe strictly limits communication
speed, even if faster-than-light means become available. And this is the
most important aspect of communication.
The second aspect of communication is message density, the amount of information
sendable per second. Existing video equipment requires 378,000 bits, but
100 billion bits per second is already possible, which is equivalent to
200 complete sets of the Encyclopedia Britannica per second. But ever
increasing bits-per-second must eventually meet three limits. The first
was discovered by Claude E. Shannon, author of "The Mathematical
Theory of Communication." The "Shannon limit" states that
"any given communications channel has a maximum capacity for reliably
transmitting information." More than this and the message gets muddy.
The second is where time can compensate for increasing bits. So, for example,
if one needs to communicate the equivalent of 1000 Encyclopedias, just
take five seconds instead of one. And third, satellite stations can compensate
for one main station. So, for example, instead of one station with the
capacity to transmit at the same time every movie everyone in the United
States wanted to watch, satellite stations could provide that service.
For these reasons we find physical and practical limits to the value of
transmitting ever more bits per second.
As for limits to communication cost, the best way to measure it is the
amount of energy it takes to send and receive a given number of bits over
a given distance. As growing sci-tech keeps decreasing the cost, at some
point it cannot be further reduced. This is the Shannon limit again. The
message would become indecipherable. By such means we find that the universe
limits growing sci-tech’s practical capacity to keep increasing communication
speed and bits per second, and to keep reducing cost.
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(2) Limts to the Transportation Power
As in communication, the most important aspect of transportation is speed,
and here, too, Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity sets strict
limits. If the universe will not allow any mass-less particle, like a
photon, to travel faster than the speed of light, then everything more
massive (such as you or a package) must travel slower. Therefore, the
speed limit is how much slower than light various masses can be shipped.
But again, as with communication, if scientists discover faster transportation
ways, they would come up against either some new limits or that of instantly.
So the universe limits how much growing sci-tech can increase transportation
speed.
As for transportation cost, we measure it also in energy units. We can
imagine sci-tech ever decreasing the cost of shipping a package over x
distance, say to a nearby star, in y time. But at some point a limit would
be met; it would be impossible to send that package to that star in that
time at less energy cost. The package would be late or would not arrive
at all. And diminishing returns would probably make it impractical to
attempt even reaching this lowest point. Furthermore, if future humans
enjoy an abundance of cheap energy, the practical limits may be far higher
still, as there would be little need to strive for the lowest possible
energy cost.
In short, we find the universe sets strong limits to how much growing
sci-tech can continue to increase transportation speed or lower its cost.
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(3) Limits to the Energy Power
We use some energy in its original form, for instance, sunlight to see,
or gravity to keep our feet on the ground. Mostly, however, to get useful
energy, we must transform it from one form to another. For example, we
transform chemical energy into heat energy when we burn wood, coal or
gasoline. We get heat energy also from mass energy in nuclear reactions.
We transform heat energy into motion energy when hot gases move automobile
pistons or jet engines. We transform motion energy into electrical energy
in electrical generators, or chemical energy into electrical energy in
batteries and fuel cells. This category therefore involves possible limits
to those primary sources offering the most useful energy transformations,
now and in the future.
We presume the Calousian standard of existence is characterized by their
access to an abundance of low-cost energy. This is because (a) the universe
is but energy in various forms, (b) we expect Calousians will know how
to tap the largest and most productive of these sources, and (c) because
we can expect this capacity would be reflected in their standard of existence.
Universal energy comes in three forms. The most abundant form, 70 percent
of the whole, is black energy, which powers the expansion of the universe.
Being so plentiful, it would seem an excellent source, if it can be tapped
and if there is enough locally to be worthwhile. The next most abundant
form of energy, 25% of the whole, is gravitation, which in addition to
keeping us Earthbound, holds galaxies and galactic clusters together.
This, too, may be useful if it can be practically tapped. The remaining
portion of universal energy, called baryonic, though only 5% of the whole,
forms the galaxies, stars, and the solar system, including Earth with
all its constituents and inhabitants. This is our most accessible source
of energy.
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.
With respect to the first, we can expect growing sci-tech to uncover many
more energy sources and methods, but use in the United States today is
instructive. Though we exploit hydro-electric, wind, solar, geothermal,
fuel cells, etc., 96% of U.S. energy comes from four sources: petroleum,
natural gas, coal, and nuclear. We can expect the Calousian pattern to
be similar. Though they will tap many more sources than we do, the great
preponderance of their energy, and, remember, it’s abundance helps
characterizes their standard of existence, will derive from just a few
sources.
This is because there are just three sources of energy: (1) chemical,
which includes petroleum, natural gas, coal, manufactured propellants,
batteries, fuel cells, etc., (2) natural-phenomena such as wind, hydro
(falling water), solar, gravity, etc., (3) and mass, which includes nuclear
and matter/anti-matter interactions.
Important as the first two categories are, the third must eventually dominate.
This is because all the amazing diversity of forms we see are elaborated
from just a few kinds of elemental particles, and there is vastly more
potential energy in the mass of these particles than in any of their other
properties. So, for example, ten pounds of mass in any form - a rock,
tree, animal, etc. - if completely converted to energy, would yield more
energy than the burning of nine million TONS of gasoline. In short, mass
energy alone, if efficiently tapped, could supply the great bulk of energy
needs.
Andrei Lind, professor of physics at Stanford University, has speculated
about another and even greater source of energy. If scientists could create
conditions similar to those existing at the beginning of the universe,
"less than one milligram of matter may initiate" a whole new
universe of mass-energy, a colossal energy abundance, provided we could
survive the explosive experiment.
In sum, we can expect Calousians will tap many forms of energy. But growing
sci-tech will eventually reveal that cluster of the largest, most practical,
low-cost energy sources. And these, when discovered, will mark the limit.
They would provide so much energy that any remaining sources subsequently
uncovered could not meaningfully improve the Calousian standard of existence.
The second aspect of energy is the degree to which the means for tapping
the above major energy sources can be improved. We argue that these largest
sources would be accessed by a limited number of means, and that growing
sci-tech must eventually reach a point where none of these means can practically
be improved.
In sum, as we learn more about how our universe is assembled, the largest
practical sources of energy should become rather obvious, and scientists
will eventually learn the best, most practical means to tap them. And
on the way to finding these, they will find many other means and sources
as well. But it is this low number of major sources and means that will
account for the bulk of their energy use, that mark the practical limit.
Further sci-tech growth thereafter could yield only very marginal benefits
to the Calousian standard of existence. In this respect, the universe
limits this energy power.
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(4) Limits to Engines, Motors and Other Motion-producing Devices
Here we consider devices that transform energy of various kinds into motion energy, i.e., into kinetic energy. Clearly, then, engines and power devices depend fundamentally upon, and so are limited by, the character of their energy sources. The two most important sources are heat and the electro-motive force. Heat engines include steam engines, internal and external combustion engines, jets, and rockets. Electro-motive force devices include motors, and ion and atomic particle engines. We will limit our review to heat engines and motors. The sizes of these future motion-producers will vary enormously, from gargantuan devices capable of moving astronomical bodies down to nano engines no larger than a speck of dust.
We have already developed many such devices and as we progress we will undoubtedly create many more. How can we find limits here?
First, let’s simplify. Newcomen patented the first steam engine in 1705. It pumped water our of coal mines. For each cycle, steam pressure pushed the piston up, then cold water poured on the cylinder caused the piston to drop again. Fortunately, the devices was slow moving, for an attendant had to manually operate the valves. Is this engine in practical use now? No. New improvements drive old devices into obsolescence. So as we seek limits among all engines and motors, the first simplification is to omit all obsolete devices. They will not significantly influence the lives of future high-capacity beings.
The second simplification is to consider only the basic engine or motor designs. We know designs and materials of each kind of engine or motor can be altered innumerable ways for special purposes, conditions, sizes, etc. Armatures, for example, can be fatter, thinner, shorter, longer, with less windings or more, etc. Our task is to explore all the practical kinds of engines and motors the universe allows. Therefore, it just makes sense to concentrate on the key designs.
The third simplification is to consider only those devices so efficient and practical that they perform the great preponderance of work in the high-capacity future. They dominate in this category in creating the Calousian standard of existence. Compare motors, for example, which lead today, using 60 percent of U.S. energy as input. And like motors, these future devices would exist in a wide range of sizes, and operate under a wide variety of conditions. But note: on the way to inventing all these major devices, we will also discover many minors ones, some of which will have future uses in special situations.
Now that we have eliminated obsolete devices and special elaborations of basic devices, how do we find limits here? The answer is we find them two ways, first, from the low number of basic principles underlying the primary devices, and second from how much each of the basic kinds of devices can be practically improved.
Regarding basic principles for heat engines, limits arise in many ways. First, only certain atoms and molecules practically provide heat. You can’t get energy by burning iron or salt. Second, the amount of heat each molecule of fuel, or each nuclear reaction or matter/anti-matter reaction can yield, is fixed and cannot be increased. Third, the number of ways to use this heat is limited. For example, the expansion of the hot fuel itself may do the work, as in the automobile engine, or it may heat another medium, as in the nuclear engine, where it heats water to steam. Also, the heat-caused motion may be used in only a few practical basic ways, such as to push a piston or fan. And, as in a car, it can push in the desired direction, where it pushes the piston down to go forward, or, as in a jet or rocket engine, it can push backwards, where with in an equal and opposite reaction, it forces the vehicle forward. And finally, engines are limited by the materials possible, for example, only those that can take the heat, wear and tear, etc.; so you wouldn’t build an engine of paper.
Electromagnetic motive force devices are limited as well. For example, the charge, spin and rest mass of the electron are fixed and cannot be increased. And the use of this force for engines is limited. It can, as torque in a motor, push against a mass or force. Alternatively, as in future space engines, to take advantage of the principle of equal and opposite reaction, it can electro-magnetically thrust ions or other charged particles backwards to move forwards. The power of motors is also limited by the number of windings and useful materials that can fit in a given space. So only certain designs to take advantage of this force are practical, and since the force itself is limited, any design of a given size has a maximum that cannot be exceeded.
These kinds of constraints mean that only a limited number of basic kinds of devices are practical.
As for improving the efficiency, in heat engines the Second Law of Thermodynamics sets definite limits. And according to Sadi Carnot, "the maximum efficiency of a heat-engine is based on the temperature difference between the beginning and end of the expansion (power) stroke in an engine." In consequence, "there is a maximum which cannot be exceeded.. .whatever the type of heat engine employed."
As for limits to the improvement of motors, they are already pretty good. "A well-maintained motor can convert 90 percent of input energy into useful shaft power - 24 hours a day for decades." Further improvement is limited by the fixed properties of the electron, and by the improvement possible in magnets, the stationary part of motors, and armatures, the rotating part, and bearings. These in turn depend on possible improvements in materials, for example, in those permitting superconduction at room and higher temperatures. (Superconducting wires can conduct electricity at almost no loss of energy, so they allow more current and in consequence, stronger magnets.) We can expect great improvement in motor materials and design, but not endless improvement.
What can we expect from all these constraints on engines and motors? Certainly we can expect many more designs and much improvement. We will experiment with devices from dust size to astronomical size, in space and under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure. We will create entirely new kinds of devices, better materials and improved fuels.
The environment is also a consideration. We can expect high-capacity beings of the future will visit strange places, for example, planets that lack not only such energy sources as oil, coal, natural gas and uranium, but even water (for its hydrogen), and sufficient sunlight. In such cases, the character of the most available energy sources will influence the kinds of motive devices that are most practical. And even here on Earth, environmental concerns appear likely to promote motors over engines, particularly for overland travel. But every site can boast of at least one abundant energy source, i.e., mass energy, from which we might synthesize many other forms, like oil or natural gas, though at high cost.
Considering the kinds of limitations noted above, what can we say about the devices that will satisfy the great preponderance of future needs? We cannot expect growing sci-tech to create new basic designs endlessly, nor among that limited number, endless improvement. As sci-tech continues growing, at some point the most efficient, practical and reliable basic designs will be discovered and then improved as much as they can be. They will be alterable for a wide range of special purposes and conditions. It is these that help characterize and make possible that high future standard of existence. And this cluster of excellent devices would constitute our limit, for growing sci-tech could not thereafter make significant improvement in this category.
We can say this another way. With respect to designs for engines and motors, innumerable possibilities are conceivable; a far smaller number of these can be realized; and of these, a smaller number still are practical. And of these latter, an even smaller number will suffice to provide the great preponderance (i.e., 95 percent) of the kinds of devices that make possible and characterize high-capacity existence. It is this latter group, when discovered and perfected, that marks the limit, in this category of engines and motors, to the benefits derivable from any further growth of sci-tech.
What are these designs? How many are there? We don’t know enough yet to answer these questions. But when we know more about how the universe works, the answers to these questions will become obvious.
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(5) Limits to Synthesis
This category of things we can and will make is truly infinite. And it really encompasses all the other fundamental powers, but these other categories are useful enough to be considered independently. To facilitate our approach, we divide Synthesis into four Realms: (1) Elemental, (2) Biological, (3) Astronomical, and (4) Culture Bearer (e.g., human). We further divide each of these realms 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 it 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.
A fourth degree suggests itself, that of making variations of entities found beyond the solar system. However, since all such altered examples could also be produced by altering Solar System examples, Second Degree synthesis covers this category. By the same reasoning, Second Degree also covers Third. Solar System entities could be varied until they resembled anything beyond. But Third Degree is so useful we keep it.
How is mastery of synthesis to be measured? Let’s use the source material. So, to make a table, for example, if you begin with wood already cut and sanded, this shows a modicum of ability. If you begin with logs, or with a tree, it shows more, and if you begin with atoms, it shows very considerably more. For present purposes, lets say that synthetic mastery of an item is proven by the capacity to produce it efficiently from the most difficult source: just energy.
Synthesis in the Elemental Realm
Since the laws of nature are everywhere the same, we can omit Second and Third degrees in this realm.
The first task is to synthesize particles like electrons, quarks and protons from energy, e.g., from energetic photons. Since the universe is elaborated from a limited set of particles (including, perhaps, string theory particles), growing sci-tech will reach a limit once it reveals the most rapid, practical and efficient ways of creating these particles. And, similarly, since only some 100 different kinds of long lived atoms exist, sci-tech would reach another limit when it can rapidly and efficiently produce these.
Demonstration of Capacity
Experience shows that the first synthesis of something is difficult, but that later attempts at that or similar items becomes progressively easier. At some point in creating copies of different members of a particular class of entities, we feel confidant we can soon synthesize any of the others. Let us say, then, that if we can synthesize, rapidly and efficiently, three typical members of a class, then we know that in a short time we could synthesize any of the other entities of this class. This is our demonstration of synthetic capacity for this class. Its great significance is that hereafter the behavior of high-capacity beings will reflect this capacity. Since they know they can synthesize any of the other class members, should they want to, what synthesizing they do here is governed not by the unknown sci-tech, but by other factors - social, economic, etc.
There are some 270 "stable and long-lived nuclei, the known elements and their isotopes" (i.e., elements with different numbers of neutrons). 5,000 are predicted. "As science develops," says Brad Sherrill of Michigan State University, "we’ll be able to give you nuclei of any element ..you want." The capacity to do this efficiently would mark a limit to the benefit of growing sci-tech in this area.
Note that we can expect Calousians to have automatic replicating machines and factories to produce the entities they need, from atoms to dishwashers, socks and huge pieces machinery.
The synthesis of molecules
"The number of (different) natural molecules is immense; perhaps a few hundred thousand have been separated, purified and identified." [41a] "Chemists have added some 15 million well-characterized (human-made) molecules to nature’s bounty." [41b]
How many molecules must Calousians be able to synthesize to support their standard of existence? Perhaps a few billion. This is not an unmanageable number in view of their general synthetic capacity, their computerized data banks and replicating machines. And even our capacity here increases rapidly. Techniques like computational chemistry allow us to predict "the properties of chemical substances before they are even synthesized, ...before any molecules of those substances physically exist..." [43] Other advances include crystal engineering, rational drug design, computational materials science and self assembly.
Take minerals, for example. By our demonstration of capacity, once we can rapidly and efficiently synthesize three typical minerals from each class, we know we can synthesize all the rest. And since no new sci-tech could thereafter increase this capacity to synthesize minerals, this would mark the limit for this category.
And this same procedure would establish limits for the other areas of material science.
As our synthesizing capacity progresses to ever larger entities, how far should we go? We stop at one gram. After all, we could create larger entities simply by multiplying this means, although it’s evident that larger amounts are often better accomplished in other ways. For present purposes, however, one gram suffices.
We can imagine Calousians searching out and discovering virtually all the kinds of molecules likely to be basic to their way of life. Here, then, is the practical limit. It’s not that they know all molecules. It’s that they know so much about molecules and how they are made that they can soon synthesize a copy of any possible given example. They know this and they live accordingly.
In sum, once growing sci-tech reaches the point - in knowledge, techniques, and tools - where it permits the synthesis of three typical entities from each class of the elemental realm, near theoretical limits of speed and cost, it will have demonstrated the capacity to soon efficiently synthesize a copy of any of the other members of those classes. In short, this would demonstrate the capacity to synthesize all the entities of the entire elemental realm. And this would mark the limit. Thereafter, neither growing sci-tech nor even increased intelligence could significantly increase this capacity.
Synthesis in the Biological Realm
Synthesis in this realm may look impossible, especially if these living organisms must be produced from energy. But since the above paragraphs show the possibility of creating atoms and molecules from this source, we needn’t repeat the process here. We can begin with on-the-shelf chemicals.
The nearest we’ve come so far to creating life is to copy two kinds of viruses, and a virus is scarcely alive, as it can reproduce only inside a living cell. The tobacco mosaic virus was synthesized many years ago. When its components were mixed together, these viruses formed themselves. The smallpox virus was created more recently, in 2000. And this was a more thorough synthesis, since these viruses were produced from on-the-shelf chemicals. When inserted into living cells, both viruses reproduced normally.
Let’s assume scientists will eventually learn to synthesize, from on-the-shelf chemicals, the components of a certain species of bacteria, and not long afterwards, the living bacterium itself. Once this is rapidly and efficiently done, we would reach a limit. No further sci-tech growth could practically improve the synthesis of this species.
In fact, such an effort brings us near the capacity to copy all other kinds of bacteria. This is because the efficient creation of a complex living organism is only possible to those who have acquired an impressive assemblage of the basic knowledge, tools, and techniques, and because all the building blocks that must be synthesized - amino acids, nucleic acids, sugars, lipids, etc. - are the same, and because the organization of all bacterial cells is so similar.
And the same argument may be used once we learn to synthesize a species of eukaryotic cell, that larger, more complex cell with a nucleus, that evolution then elaborates into multicellular organisms. Although the differences among single-celled species are considerable, the difficulty imposed by these differences - though not to be underestimated - is far less than that of creating, from on-the-shelf chemicals, that first living example.
Again employing our demonstration of capacity, once we learn to synthesize three typical species from each group of similar, single-celled organisms, we would know we could synthesize the rest. And with this accomplishment, we would meet the limit for single-celled organisms. We would already know we could soon make copies of any of the other organisms if we wanted to. And we would behave accordingly, so no further sci-tech growth here could practically increase this power.
This same approach could be used to find synthetic limits for all other species: Archaea (early life forms) fungi, plants, animals, etc. In each case, synthesizing three typical entities of a group would tell us we could soon synthesize the rest.
When you consider the huge number of plants and animals, the above entails an almost overwhelming amount of synthesis. In truth, all this synthesis to find limits is unnecessary. It is the first examples which are the barrier. Once life has actually been synthesized and we learn to efficiently synthesize, say, a dozen examples which fairly represent all phyla, and take them to maturity, we would really know we could synthesize all other species. Any particular desired synthesis thereafter would just require a little more time and effort. Yes and more sci-tech too. But we can discount this sci-tech because, since we already know we could get it if we wanted to, we would behave accordingly, so in this sense, the new sci-tech doesn’t really increase our powers.
By such arguments we find First Degree synthesis in the biological realm fully limited, meaning we will eventually encounter limits to the benefits of increasing sci-tech growth here.
Biological synthesis Third Degree is the capacity to make living copies of any and all species living beyond the solar system. Presumably, such entities exist in great diversity and astronomical number. But all must have much in common with Earth-life. They must obey the same universal laws, the elements of their bodies must come from the same general list of stable elements, and they had to solve many of the same problems, such as growth, reproduction, differentiation, metabolism sensations, etc. Accordingly, it seems reasonable that once we acquire the knowledge, techniques, and tools that signify mastery of first degree synthesis, we should be in a position, with only modest additional time, to analyze and synthesize a copy of any sample of any other particular biology.
But we cannot use the species of three extraterrestrial biologies as our demonstration of capacity, because the three must be typical, and our first encounters of extraterrestrial life may not be. So let’s put the number at a dozen. When we have mastered that many other biologies, we would meet the limit. Yes, much more sci-tech growth here is possible, and would be needed to make copies, but it would provide Calousians with no further powers in the sense that they would already know they could rapidly copy these other species if they wanted to, and they would behave accordingly.
Biological synthesis Second Degree is the capacity to make modifications of Earthly species. Because a chicken, might be altered down to a bacterium or up to an elephant, it’s evident that this category is infinite. The most significant limit here is that of practicality. If Calousians have basic need of any organism, altered or not, they will long since have created it. They can then ignore the infinity of altered organisms possible, because these are undesirable, unnecessary, useless, inferior, etc. In short, they would not be basic to the Calousian standard of existence.
But this practicality limit is even stronger. Calousians are masters of synthesis. They can synthesize from energy virtually anything they want. Therefore, they need few if any plants or animals, altered or otherwise. They can synthesize the desired fiber or chop; they don’t need the plant or the lamb. In consequence, any new organisms subsequently synthesized would reflect not a growth of powers because, on becoming Calousian, they always had this capacity, knew it, and behaved accordingly. It would merely reflect new choices. By such means we find synthesis in the biological realm is limited in all three degrees.
Synthesis in the Astronomical Realm
Synthesis of stars and other astronomical bodies seems impossible, absurd. However, we must consider the problem in light not of our present powers, but of our potential great future powers. And the space station, a kind of astronomical entity, serves as a start. Astronomical synthesis requires three capacities. The first is the capacity to create the appropriate components, which - fortunately - are elemental and simple. The second is to produce them in sufficient quantity. Theoretically, we must produce them from energy. But the formula e = mc2 discourages, for just as a tiny mass can yield an enormous amounts of energy, so it takes a similarly great amount of energy to produce a tiny mass. In addition to energy, then, let’s consider producing astronomical entities from whatever material is most practical - gas and dust, asteroids, moons, planets, etc. The third requirement is that these materials must either be created at the desired site or transported there.
To satisfy first degree synthesis, we would have to learn to make approximate copies of solar system entities, not just the comets, asteroids, moons, planets, etc., but the sun itself. For the various means and great problems of such synthesis, see the Internet. Nevertheless, if we could learn to perform these feats about as fast and efficiently as possible, we would meet the limits to first degree astronomical synthesis. Sci-tech growth thereafter could not increase these powers.
But why attempt such tasks? With more than a 100 billion stars in the Milky Way, we hardly need another. But not long ago, we didn’t need electricity either, or autos, and now we can’t get along without them. The point: needs change as powers grows. And in the future these astro powers may not only be highly desirable, but may even save our kind from extinction.
And there is another reason to acquire these powers. In attempting them, we are bound to uncover much other knowledge and many additional powers not otherwise or so soon encountered. And this ancillary knowledge may prove enormously useful and practical, even if the primary knowledge sought eventually proves either unattainable or of scant value.
However, the most important reason to acquire these astro powers is this: A crucial aspect of our special evolutionary process is that we’re in charge of our own growth and development, and if we refuse to think a big as this task requires, then we must fail to become that big. We would fail to reach our potential. And yes, we can think too big, but right now we don’t know enough about the astro realm or our potential powers therein to be sure where that "too big’ mark begins, and, present experience dominating, we’re most likely to think too small.
Do Calousians actually synthesize stars? We don’t know. But these entities exist, and this reality prompts our quest. Clearly, however, we culture-bearers can never discover the appropriate role of high-capacity intelligence in an evolving universe until we have explored the full range of our potential powers. So we must attempt to learn not just how to perform such syntheses, but the best ways to perform them.
Does the universe sets any practical limits in this astro realm to the benefits from continuing sci-tech growth? Perhaps realities of space, time and mass-energy combine to prevent synthesis of entities above a certain size and distance. Bear in mind that to prevent gravitational disruption of the solar system, and its potential for catastrophe, large bodies, like planets, would have to be produced at safe distances. And for the same reason, stars would probably have to be assembled several light years away.
We nevertheless find two possible limits to the benefits of continued sci-tech growth with respect to First Degree astro synthesis. The first would occur if we do indeed acquire the capacity to efficiently make general copies of the entities of the solar system. The second would take place if this task cannot be fully accomplished. The limit, in this second case, would occur at the astronomical size or distance beyond which time or unchangeable conditions prevent the synthesis of larger entities.
What about Second and Third Degree astro synthesis? For now, let’s consider First Degree sufficient, but for those interested, the Internet shows limits found to these others as well.
Synthesis in the Culture-Bearer Realm
This section has two parts. The first concerns limits with respect to the synthesis of humans; the second, limits to the things humans make.
As for synthesizing humans, if growing sci-tech allows us to make from on-the-shelf chemicals a living copy of a frog or mouse, we would have learned much of what it takes to do the same of a human. First degree synthesis is the capacity to synthesize from energy, in practice from on-the-shelf chemicals, the solar culture-bearer, i.e., a modern human - male and female. Note that we synthesize humans now; we just don’t know exactly how we do it.
An ethical question here? Is not the deliberate creation of a human higher, morally, than all the accidental creations and all those where reproduction is not the primary motive? The main thing is that all new borns should be wanted, loved, adopted, if necessary, and provided with long-term nurturance. As for synthesizing humans, we need this knowledge to complete our kind’s growth to maturity; we must know ourselves, and the capacity to synthesize ourselves is a basic component of that knowledge, and a test of that knowledge. It will also bring important medical benefits. And, finally, this is the basic knowledge those in the future will need to improve themselves.
Present techniques include in-vitro fertilization (where sperm and egg fuse in a glass dish), gene therapy (where at the eight cell stage, one or two cells are removed and tested, e.g., for cystic fibrosis, and if OK, the rest are allowed to develop), gene transfer (where new genes replace defective ones), and cloning.
First degree would require an artificial placenta. When we can synthesize, from on-the-shelf chemicals, two living humans, a male and female, at normal birth-weight, about as fast and efficiently as possible, we would meet the limit here. Further sci-tech growth could not increase our capacity to make general copies of these individuals.
And by the demonstration of capacity, when we learn to efficiently copy three typical varieties of present humans - males and females - we would have learned enough, considering mastery of biological synthesis, to know we could soon make a general copy of any other variety of human, and so meet the limit here. Yes, sci-tech must grow to permit the copying of other individuals, races, etc., but, again, having reached the enormous breakthrough of being able to copy six individuals, we can assume the capacity to copy the others. So if, indeed, copies of others are made thereafter, this behavior would be determined not by the modest sci-tech growth involved, because getting that knowledge was always known to be possible, but by other factors, e.g., someone wants a copy of their aunt.
First degree should also include the capacity to synthesize from a single cell, in vitro, various body parts: skin, heart, liver, kidney, hand, etc. For a review of tissue engineering, for example, see the Internet.
Second and Third degree human syntheses
We define Second Degree as including all the changes we will make in our bodies and minds on the way to becoming Calousian. We define Third Degree as covering all the diverse beginning bodily conditions of all the universe’s culture-bearers, assuming they exist, and the changes they make in themselves on the road to Calousia.
Those culture-bearers who in the course of their cultural progression succeed in reaching Calousia we call "Calousians," and, supposing they have made the best use of their powers upon themselves, we may consider them self-transformed. This means that if we culture-bearers of the Earthly type succeed in reaching Calousia, we will, in remaking ourselves, be largely satisfying Third Degree synthesis.
This is because, if Calousians from other stars don’t tell us, we must discover for ourselves, step by careful step, how to become Calousian, how to attain that maximum potential of ourselves. To find the best possible form (or forms) for our kind, and the best possible bodily characteristics for intelligent existence, we would explore all options intensely. But this must be exactly what all other systems of culture-bearers, all over the universe, are doing.
Although culture-bearers from different parts of the universe may begin with quite different bodies and different environments, all who reach Calousia will have at their command the same great cluster of limited powers. All will face the same challenge of how to express these powers upon themselves. All must decide which powers they want, and of these, which to incorporate in their bodies, and which to delegate to tools. Culture-bearers will undoubtedly make somewhat different choices along the way, but they will make them only after a most careful exploration of the same great list of major possibilities.
All culture-bearing systems - Earth’s being one - are attempting, knowingly or not, the same thing, i.e., to become Calousian. Therefore, as we synthesize a progressive sequence of ourselves, in reflection of our growing powers, and in reflection, also, of the character of sci-tech that some discoveries must precede others, we would to a great degree be copying them also, following roughly the sequence they follow. This is why, if we become Calousian, we would also simultaneously master Third Degree culture-bearer synthesis. In other words, we would reach a limit, because having become Calousian, we would have no need of more sci-tech to become Calousian.
The reader will at once realize that this Third-Degree capacity also satisfies Second-Degree synthesis, i.e., alterations of the Earthly example. True, the possible alterations are limitless, but the great preponderance of them lead nowhere, and so are not worth knowing. And of the rest, those successful in reaching Calousia will search out and master the best. And these are what count.
Once growing sci-tech has revealed the most advantageous, practical, basic body form and capacity - i.e., the optimal individual or the basic member of the system, in other words, the Calousian - and permitted synthesis of this individual near theoretical limits of speed and cost, then growing sci-tech in this area thereafter can empower no more. In other words, if there is a sequence of changes in Calousian form or basic capacity thereafter, it will occur not primarily as a consequence of a rather orderly progression into ever deeper sci-tech, but as a consequence of new decisions based on other factors. This is because Calousians already have the capacity, if they choose to exercise it, to create any of the subsequently created forms at any time or in any order they choose.
Synthesis of Culture-Bearer-Made Entities
This category covers the synthesis of all the material entities culture-bearers make...pins, watches, autos, space ships, plants, animals, moons, etc.
We arbitrarily define First Degree as the synthesis of all the kinds of things we humans have already made. Though huge, this is a limited category. And we can eliminate most items through two practical steps. The first is to eliminate all things no longer made or needed, in fact, all that are not basic to modern existence. The second is to consider it sufficient to copy only one typical example of a kind, e.g., one typical modern automobile, rath er than all its varied manifestations, styles, accessories, etc. We would reach the limit here when we can synthesize all remaining things near the limits of speed and energy-unit cost, this perhaps done with automatic replicating devices.
For Second and Third Degree synthesis, we use the same argument employed before. Like all other culture-bearers in the universe, we of the solar type will make many new kinds of things as we strive toward Calousia. Moreover, the more we advance, the more sophisticated the things we will manufacture, the greater the sci-tech underpinning them, and the more difficult it is to acquire. The progression of manufactures we of the solar system will make, particularly with respect to the six fundamental powers, other culture-bearers beyond, we can assume, will duplicate or have done so. As we make our devices, therefore, we are at the same time also copying theirs. When we succeed in building all the devices necessary to reach Calousia, we will also reach the limits to Second and Third Degree synthesis. By this means we find the universe fully limits the culture-bearer realm.
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(6) Limits to the Reduction Power
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. This power is carried out by a reductor, a device with a capacity of a one car garage. Put anything into it, press a button, and before the next day the item has been reduced to its elements.
The reductor might work as follows. First, the organic items are separated from the inorganic ones. The organic, for example, a pork chop, paper or a log, are ground up and immersed in water. Then, like a digestive system, a sequence of enzymes breaks down the constituents into their components - e.g., nucleic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, etc. - which are sorted for reuse, or, if desired, broken down to their elements. As for the in-organics, for example, a lamp and an old sink, the device subjects them to increasing radiation until they break into their component atoms, which are also sorted and stored for reuse.
The great advantage of reduction is its simplicity. Even though the universe contains structures of incredible diversity and complexity, we don’t need an infinity of different devices to reduce them. One good kind suffices. This category is therefore severely limited. Once sci-tech growth permits the construction of an efficient device, its further growth here can provide no significant benefit.
In sum, we find that the universe sets strict limits to how much growing sci-tech can practically keep increasing the six fundamental powers.
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References and Notes
C. E. Shannon, The Mathematical Theory of Communication (Claude E. Shannon)
M. Brzezinski, New York Times Magazine (Apr 20-03) p41. During the 1991
gulf war, the airwaves transmitted 192,000 words per minute... "soon
the military will be transmitting the equivalent of the Library of Congress
each minute, or 1.5 trillion words." Matthew Brzezinski
American Council for Energy Efficient Economy www.aceee.org
Brad Sherrill of Michigan State University, "we’ll be able to
give you nuclei of any element ..you want." [25]
." [41a] "Chemists have added some 15 million well-characterized
(human-made) molecules to nature’s bounty." [41b]
© Warren A. Musser 2005