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The Kardashev Scale: Difference between revisions

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! colspan="2" style="background:#FF0000; border-radius:3.25px;" align="center"|''Important Codex Wiki Articles''
! colspan="2" style="background:#FF0000; border-radius:3.25px;" align="center"|''Important Codex Wiki Articles''
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|width="15%" style="background:black; border-radius:3.25px;"|'''Important Pages'''
|width="15%" "background:grey; border-radius:3.25px;"|'''Important Pages'''
|[[Site FAQ]] - [[w:c:community:Help:Contents|General Help Page]] - [[Tiering System]] - [[Civilization Tiering System]] - [[Character Profile Rules|Rules for Character Profiles]] - [[Common Editing Mistakes]] - [[Disclaimer]] - [[How to Handle Calculations]] - [[Universe]] - [[Multiverse]] - [[Omniverse]] - [[Projectile Dodging Feats]] - [[Dimensional Tiering Explanation]] - [[Hierarchies]] - [[Common Terminology]] - [[Discussion Rules]] - [[Reference for Common Feats]] - [[Rules for Acceptable Profiles]] - [[Rules for Fanon Profiles]] - [[Misleading Titles]] - [[Mistranslations]] - [[Outside Wiki Standards]] - [[Statements]]
|[[The Codex Wiki]] - [[Site FAQ]] - [[The Codex:About|General Help Page]]- [[Tiering System]] - [[Civilization Tiering System]] - [[Codex Profile Rules|Rules for Codex Profiles]] - [[Common Editing Mistakes]] - [[Disclaimer]] - [[How to Handle Calculations]] - [[Universe]] - [[Multiverse]] - [[Omniverse]] - [[Projectile and Objects Feats]] - [[Dimensional Tiering Explanation]] - [[Common Terminology]] - [[Discussion Rules]] - [[Reference for Common Feats]] - [[Rules for Acceptable Profiles]] - [[Rules for Fanon Profiles]] - [[Misleading Titles]] - [[Mistranslations]] - [[Outside Wiki Standards]] - [[Statements]] - [[Verse Cosmology Categorizations]] - [[Fictional Universes]]
|-
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|width="15%" style="background:black; border-radius:3.25px;"|'''Terminology'''
|width="15%" "background:grey; border-radius:3.25px;"|'''Terminology'''
|[[Alignment]] - [[Status]] - [[Dimensionality]] - [[Attack Potency]] - [[Durability]] - [[Speed]] - [[Reactions]] - [[Lifting Strength]] - [[Striking Strength]] - [[Range]] - [[Intelligence]] - [[Hax]] - [[Standard Equipment]] - [[No Limits Fallacy]] - [[Omnipotence]] - [[Cinematic Time]] - [[Canon]] - [[Canon|Crossover]] - [[Multipliers]] - [[Environmental Destruction]] - [[Bloodlust]] - [[Chain Reactions]] - [[Outside Help]] - [[Space]] - [[Spite Threads]] - [[The Kardashev Scale]] - [[Infinity]]
|[[Alignment]] - [[Status]] - [[Protection Level]] - [[Threat Level]] - [[Cardinality]] - [[Grade]] - [[Dimensionality]] - [[Attack Potency]] - [[Durability]] - [[Speed]] - [[Reactions]] - [[Lifting Strength]] - [[Striking Strength]] - [[Range]] - [[Intelligence]] - [[Knowledge]] - [[Powers and Techniques]] - [[State of Being]] - [[Physiology]] - [[Equipment]] - [[No Limits Fallacy]] - [[Omnipotence]] - [[Cinematic Time]] - [[Canon]] - [[Canon|Crossover]] - [[How to Handle Canon]] - [[Multipliers]] - [[Environmental Destruction]] - [[Bloodlust]] - [[Overtime Feats]] - [[Chain Reactions]] -[[Outside Help]] - [[Space]] - [[The Kardashev Scale]] - [[Infinity]] - [[Power Source]] - [[Light Speed]] - [[Requirements for Speed of Light/Faster Than Light Speeds]]
|-  
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|style="background:black; border-radius:3.25px;"|'''Standards'''
|"background:grey; border-radius:3.25px;"|'''Standards'''
|[[Transcendence]] - [[Creation vs Destruction]] - [[Outlier]] - [[Ludonarrative Dissonance]] - [[Inconsistency]] - [[Plot-Induced Stupidity]] - [[Reality - Fiction Interaction]] - [[Powerscaling]] - [[Black Hole]] - [[Wormhole]] - [[Stabilization Feats]] - [[Merging Feats]] - [[Embodying Feats]] - [[Data World Standards]] - [[Dream World Standards]] - [[Standard Battle Assumptions]] - [[One-Shot]] - [[Speed Blitz]] - [[Penetration Damage]] - [[Death of the Author]] - [[Versus Threads]] - [[Information Pages]] - [[Light Dodging Feats]] - [[Lightning Standards]] - [[Timeless Void Standards]]
|[[Transcendence]] - [[Creation vs Destruction]] - [[Outlier]] - [[Ludonarrative Dissonance]] - [[Inconsistency]] - [[Plot-Induced Stupidity]] - [[Reality - Fiction Interaction]] - [[Powerscaling]] - [[Black Hole]] - [[Wormhole]] - [[Stabilization Feats]] - [[Merging Feats]] - [[Embodying Feats]] - [[Data World Standards]] - [[Dream World Standards]] - [[Standard Battle Assumptions]] - [[One-Shot]] - [[Speed Blitz]] - [[Penetration Damage]] - [[Blunt Force Damage]] - [[Death of the Author]] - [[Versus Threads]] - [[Information Pages]] - [[Light Dodging Feats]] - [[Lightning Standards]] - [[Void Standards]]
|-  
|-  
|style="background:black; border-radius:3.25px;"|'''Formats'''
|"background:grey; border-radius:3.25px;"|'''Formats'''
|[[Standard Format for Character Profiles]] - [[Standard Format for Factions]] - [[Standard Format for Cosmic Forces]] - [[Standard Format for Verse Pages]] - [[Standard Format for Locations Profiles]] - [[Standard Format for Weapon Profiles]] - [[Standard Format for Powers and Abilities]] - [[Standard Format for Civilization Profiles]] - [[Standard Format for Category Names]] - [[Standard Templates For Tabbers]]
|[[Standard Format for Character Profiles]] - [[Standard Format for Factions]] - [[Standard Format for Cosmic Forces]] - [[Standard Format for Events]] - [[Standard Format for Verse Pages]] - [[Standard Format for Locations Profiles]] - [[Standard Format for Weapon Profiles]] - [[Standard Format for Powers and Abilities]] - [[Standard Format for Civilization Profiles]] - [[Standard Format for Category Names]] - [[Standard Templates For Tabbers]]
|-
|"background:grey; border-radius:3.25px;"|'''Fanon'''
|[[Fanon]] - [[Fanon/Community-Strongest-Character-Tier-List|Strongest Character Tier List]] - [[Fanon/Community-Weakest-Character-Tier-List|Weakest Character Tier List]] - [[Fanon/Strongest Smash Characters Tier List]]
|}
|}
[[File:660px-Consommations_énergétiques_des_trois_types_de_l'échelle_de_Kardashev.svg.png|center|660px]]
[[File:660px-Consommations_énergétiques_des_trois_types_de_l'échelle_de_Kardashev.svg.png|center|660px]]
==Explanation==
==Explanation==
The '''Kardashev scale''' is a method of measuring a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy it is able to use. The measure was proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964.  
The '''Kardashev scale''' is a method of measuring a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy it is able to use. The measure was proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964.  


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*'''Type III:''' A civilization in possession of energy at the scale of its own galaxy, with energy consumption at ≈4×1044 erg/sec. Lemarchand stated this as a civilization with access to the power comparable to the luminosity of the entire Milky Way galaxy, about 4×1044 erg/sec (4×1037 watts).
*'''Type III:''' A civilization in possession of energy at the scale of its own galaxy, with energy consumption at ≈4×1044 erg/sec. Lemarchand stated this as a civilization with access to the power comparable to the luminosity of the entire Milky Way galaxy, about 4×1044 erg/sec (4×1037 watts).


Kardashev believed that a Type 4 civilization was impossible, so he did not go past Type 3. However, new types (0, IV, V, VI) have been proposed.
Kardashev believed that a Type 4 civilization was impossible, so he did not go past Type 3; However, new types (0, IV, V, VI) have been proposed.
As time passed, the Scale was expanded, with Type 0 Civilizations (Those who have yet to master the Geothermal Energy of their home planet) and Type IV Civilizations (Civilizations that can drain the available power of an entire universe) being added.
As time passed, the Scale was expanded, with Type 0 Civilizations (Those who have yet to master the Geothermal Energy of their home planet) and Type IV Civilizations (Civilizations that can drain the available power of an entire universe) being added.


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[[File:KFormula.jpg|thumb|center|139px]]
[[File:KFormula.jpg|thumb|center|139px]]


 
Where value K is a civilization's Kardashev rating and P is the power it uses, in watts. Using this extrapolation, a "Type 0" civilization, not defined by Kardashev, would control about 1 MW of power, and humanity's civilization type as of 1973 was about 0.7 (apparently using 10 terawatts (TW) as the value for 1970s humanity).
where value K is a civilization's Kardashev rating and P is the power it uses, in watts. Using this extrapolation, a "Type 0" civilization, not defined by Kardashev, would control about 1 MW of power, and humanity's civilization type as of 1973 was about 0.7 (apparently using 10 terawatts (TW) as the value for 1970s humanity).


In 2018, the total world energy consumption was 13864.9 Mtoe (161,249 TWh), equivalent to an average power consumption of 18.40 TW or 0.73 on Sagan's interpolated Kardashev scale.
In 2018, the total world energy consumption was 13864.9 Mtoe (161,249 TWh), equivalent to an average power consumption of 18.40 TW or 0.73 on Sagan's interpolated Kardashev scale.


==The Scale==
==The Scale==
*'''Type 0: 0 – 1E16 watts'''. A civilization that harnesses significant portion of the energy of its home planet, but not to its full potential.
**Humanity (Real Life) (Type 0.73)
*'''Type I: 1E16 – 1E26 watts'''. A civilization that can harness the entirety of the geothermal energy of Earth.
*'''Type II: 1E26 – 1E36 watts'''. A civilization that can harness the energy of a star.
*'''Type III: 1E36 – 1E46 watts'''. A civilization that can harness the energy of a galaxy.


'''Type 0: 0 – 1E16 watts'''. A civilization that harnesses significant portion of the energy of its home planet, but not to its full potential.
* Humanity (Real Life) (Type 0.73)
* Holy Britannian Empire (Code Geass)


'''Type I: 1E16 1E26 watts'''. A civilization that can harness the entirety of the geothermal energy of Earth.
*'''Type IV: 1E46 1E56 watts'''. A civilization that can harness the energy of a galactic supercluster.
* The United Federation of Planets (Star Trek)
* The Imperium of Man (Warhammer 40,000) (Borderline Type II)


'''Type II: 1E26 – 1E36 watts'''. A civilization that can harness the energy of a star.
* DAoT Humanity, Pre-Fall Aeldari, the T’au Empire and The Necrons (Warhammer 40,000)
* The Old Republic (Star Wars)
* Humanity (Blame!)


'''Type III: 1E36 1E46 watts'''. A civilization that can harness the energy of a galaxy.
*'''Type V: 1E56 1E69 watts'''. A civilization that can harness all of the energy of its universe.
* The Forerunners (Halo)
* The Culture (The Culture)


'''Type IV: 1E46 – 1E56 watts'''. A civilization that can harness the energy of a galactic supercluster.
* The Precursors (Halo)


'''Type V: 1E56 – 1E69 watts'''. A civilization that can harness all of the energy of its universe.
*'''Type VI: 3.9 x 1E69 watts and above'''. A civilization that generates more energy than the universe every second.
* Asgard (Marvel Comics)
* Marble Aliens (Men in Black)
* Mazoku / Shinzoku (Slayers)


'''Type VI: 3.9 x 1E69 watts and above'''. A civilization that generates more energy than the universe every second.
* The Celestials (Marvel Comics)
* The Q (Star Trek)


'''Type VII: Immeasurable'''. Civilizations beyond any known quantification of joules.
*'''Type VII: Immeasurable'''. Civilizations beyond any known quantification of joules.
* The Time Lords and the Daleks (Doctor Who)
* The Downstreamers (Manifold)
* The Beyonders (Marvel Comics)


[[Category:Important]]
[[Category:Important]]
[[Category:Terms]]
[[Category:Terms]]
{{Discussions}}

Latest revision as of 17:04, 11 October 2024

Important Codex Wiki Articles
Important Pages The Codex Wiki - Site FAQ - General Help Page- Tiering System - Civilization Tiering System - Rules for Codex Profiles - Common Editing Mistakes - Disclaimer - How to Handle Calculations - Universe - Multiverse - Omniverse - Projectile and Objects Feats - Dimensional Tiering Explanation - Common Terminology - Discussion Rules - Reference for Common Feats - Rules for Acceptable Profiles - Rules for Fanon Profiles - Misleading Titles - Mistranslations - Outside Wiki Standards - Statements - Verse Cosmology Categorizations - Fictional Universes
Terminology Alignment - Status - Protection Level - Threat Level - Cardinality - Grade - Dimensionality - Attack Potency - Durability - Speed - Reactions - Lifting Strength - Striking Strength - Range - Intelligence - Knowledge - Powers and Techniques - State of Being - Physiology - Equipment - No Limits Fallacy - Omnipotence - Cinematic Time - Canon - Crossover - How to Handle Canon - Multipliers - Environmental Destruction - Bloodlust - Overtime Feats - Chain Reactions -Outside Help - Space - The Kardashev Scale - Infinity - Power Source - Light Speed - Requirements for Speed of Light/Faster Than Light Speeds
Standards Transcendence - Creation vs Destruction - Outlier - Ludonarrative Dissonance - Inconsistency - Plot-Induced Stupidity - Reality - Fiction Interaction - Powerscaling - Black Hole - Wormhole - Stabilization Feats - Merging Feats - Embodying Feats - Data World Standards - Dream World Standards - Standard Battle Assumptions - One-Shot - Speed Blitz - Penetration Damage - Blunt Force Damage - Death of the Author - Versus Threads - Information Pages - Light Dodging Feats - Lightning Standards - Void Standards
Formats Standard Format for Character Profiles - Standard Format for Factions - Standard Format for Cosmic Forces - Standard Format for Events - Standard Format for Verse Pages - Standard Format for Locations Profiles - Standard Format for Weapon Profiles - Standard Format for Powers and Abilities - Standard Format for Civilization Profiles - Standard Format for Category Names - Standard Templates For Tabbers
Fanon Fanon - Strongest Character Tier List - Weakest Character Tier List - Fanon/Strongest Smash Characters Tier List

Explanation

The Kardashev scale is a method of measuring a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy it is able to use. The measure was proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964.

In 1964, Kardashev defined three levels of civilization, based on the order of magnitude of power available to each:

  • Type I: Technological level of a civilization that is "close to the level presently attained on Earth, with energy consumption at ≈4×1019 erg/sec" (4×1012 watts). Currently, the civilization of Type I is usually defined as one that can harness all the energy that falls on a planet from its parent star (for Earth–Sun system, this value is close to 1.74×1017 watts), which is about four orders of magnitude higher than the amount presently attained on Earth, with energy consumption at ≈2×1013 watts. The astronomer Guillermo A. Lemarchand stated this as a level near contemporary terrestrial civilization with an energy capability equivalent to the solar insolation on Earth, between 1016 and 1017 watts.
  • Type II: A civilization capable of harnessing the energy radiated by its own star—for example, the stage of successful construction of a Dyson sphere or Matrioshka brain —with energy consumption at ≈4×1033 erg/sec. Lemarchand stated this as a civilization capable of using and channeling the entire radiation output of its star. The energy use would then be comparable to the luminosity of the Sun, about 4×1033 erg/sec (4×1026 watts).
  • Type III: A civilization in possession of energy at the scale of its own galaxy, with energy consumption at ≈4×1044 erg/sec. Lemarchand stated this as a civilization with access to the power comparable to the luminosity of the entire Milky Way galaxy, about 4×1044 erg/sec (4×1037 watts).

Kardashev believed that a Type 4 civilization was impossible, so he did not go past Type 3; However, new types (0, IV, V, VI) have been proposed. As time passed, the Scale was expanded, with Type 0 Civilizations (Those who have yet to master the Geothermal Energy of their home planet) and Type IV Civilizations (Civilizations that can drain the available power of an entire universe) being added.

At the current time, humanity has not yet reached Type 1 civilization status. Physicist and futurist Michio Kaku suggested that, if humans increase their energy consumption at an average rate of 3 percent each year, they may attain Type I status in 100–200 years, Type II status in a few thousand years, and Type III status in 100,000 to a million years.

Carl Sagan suggested defining intermediate values (not considered in Kardashev's original scale) by interpolating and extrapolating the values given above for types I (1016 W), II (1026 W) and III (1036 W), which would produce the formula:

Where value K is a civilization's Kardashev rating and P is the power it uses, in watts. Using this extrapolation, a "Type 0" civilization, not defined by Kardashev, would control about 1 MW of power, and humanity's civilization type as of 1973 was about 0.7 (apparently using 10 terawatts (TW) as the value for 1970s humanity).

In 2018, the total world energy consumption was 13864.9 Mtoe (161,249 TWh), equivalent to an average power consumption of 18.40 TW or 0.73 on Sagan's interpolated Kardashev scale.

The Scale

  • Type 0: 0 – 1E16 watts. A civilization that harnesses significant portion of the energy of its home planet, but not to its full potential.
    • Humanity (Real Life) (Type 0.73)
  • Type I: 1E16 – 1E26 watts. A civilization that can harness the entirety of the geothermal energy of Earth.


  • Type II: 1E26 – 1E36 watts. A civilization that can harness the energy of a star.


  • Type III: 1E36 – 1E46 watts. A civilization that can harness the energy of a galaxy.


  • Type IV: 1E46 – 1E56 watts. A civilization that can harness the energy of a galactic supercluster.


  • Type V: 1E56 – 1E69 watts. A civilization that can harness all of the energy of its universe.


  • Type VI: 3.9 x 1E69 watts and above. A civilization that generates more energy than the universe every second.


  • Type VII: Immeasurable. Civilizations beyond any known quantification of joules.