The Kardashev Scale: Measuring Civilizations Beyond Earth

Since the dawn of humanity, we've looked up at the stars and wondered: How advanced could civilizations become? Could there be intelligent life out there operating at a level so far beyond us that we wouldn't even recognize them? In our latest episode of This Podcast Is A Secret, we break down The Kardashev Scale—a system designed to categorize civilizations based on their ability to harness and control energy.

What Is the Kardashev Scale?

• In 1964, Soviet astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev proposed a scale to measure civilizations based on their energy consumption and technological advancement.

• The original scale had three types:

  • Type I Civilization – A species that has mastered all available energy on its home planet (we’re not quite there yet).

  • Type II Civilization – A species that can harness the full power of its star, possibly using structures like a Dyson Sphere.

  • Type III Civilization – A species that can control energy on the scale of an entire galaxy—essentially godlike in power.

• Over time, theorists expanded the scale, introducing Type IV (universal civilizations) and Type V (multiverse civilizations).

  
  

Where Are We on the Scale?

• Right now, humanity isn’t even a Type I civilization.

• According to physicist Michio Kaku, we currently rank around 0.72 on the Kardashev Scale, still relying on fossil fuels and yet to fully harness Earth's energy.

• To become a Type I civilization, we would need to develop fusion power, control planetary weather, and harness all available natural resources.

  
  

Theories, Implications, and Alien Civilizations

• Some scientists believe that extraterrestrial civilizations could already exist at Type II or III levels, which is why they remain invisible to us—they operate on scales beyond our comprehension.

• The Fermi Paradox asks why, if civilizations should be advancing toward Type III, we haven’t seen any evidence of them. Are they hiding? Have they wiped themselves out before reaching higher levels?

• Could we ever reach Type II or III, or are we doomed to self-destruction before achieving planetary mastery?

  
  

Is The Kardashev Scale More Than Just a Theory?

• Some experts argue the scale is too focused on energy usage, ignoring other signs of intelligence, like information processing or biological advancements.

• Others believe it’s a legitimate roadmap for the future of humanity, predicting how far we could go if we don’t wipe ourselves out first.

• If we do reach Type I or beyond, what would that mean for our survival, space travel, and even immortality?

  
  

Listen to the Full Episode!

The Kardashev Scale isn’t just a fun sci-fi concept—it’s a real framework for thinking about the future of civilization, the potential for alien life, and where humanity is headed.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or watch the full episode on YouTube!

Thanks for listening, but remember, don’t tell anyone about what you heard today, because This Podcast Is A Secret!