Wednesday 7 December 2011

1,000,000 AD

Planet-sized computers are dominating the Local Group of galaxies;AI controls all government and other systems; the descendants of humanity are a Type 3 civilisation on the Kardashev scale



Purely biological (non-cyborg) humans are exceedingly rare now. The very few which do remain comprise only a tiny fraction of the total sentient minds in existence. Though free to come and go as they please, they have practically zero influence in any governmental systems on Earth or elsewhere, being regarded as wholly subordinate to the AIs and other entities. As a species, homo sapiens has continued to evolve over time. This has led to a further increase in cranial size, a near-total absence of hair, an elongation of limbs, a more robust and capable immune system, and a greatly increased lifespan.


The vast majority of humans have long since abandoned these primitive biological forms, making the transition to machines or other substrates and achieving practical immortality. The entire Milky Way galaxy has been explored by these transhumans and their sentient ships.


Faster-than-light travel is now possible using Alcubierre drives, which are compact and miniaturised enough to be found in even personal, single-occupancy vessels. These use such colossal amounts of power that they cause the fabric of space ahead of a ship to contract, while the space behind it expands. This bypasses the laws of relativity, allowing travel to even neighbouring galaxies such as M31 (Andromeda) and M33 (Triangulum).


Planet-sized computers are being constructed throughout the Local Group of galaxies, with every available resource going towards their production. All of the "dead" worlds, comets, moons and asteroids considered uninhabitable are being converted into these machines, forming a vast network millions of light years across space. Each computer is capable of instant communications with any other, regardless of distance.


A number of alien intelligences have been contacted by now. In addition, ancient ruins have been uncovered on many worlds - indicating advanced civilisations which somehow failed or destroyed themselves in the distant past. Thousands of other planets have been discovered to have rich ecosystems, brimming with diverse plant and animal (and other) life. Most of the fauna being catalogued is small and insect-like, but some is more developed with intelligence comparable to higher mammals such as dolphins, monkeys and cats.


Most of the biological (non-cyborg) humans are avoiding the core regions in each galaxy, which are filled with extremely high concentrations of gamma radiation, blackholes and other hazards - dangerous even with the technologies and protections of today.



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