Do aliens go to war with each other? | Robin Hanson and Lex Fridman

TL;DR

Competition is a defining factor in the universe of alien civilizations, and the choice to allow interstellar colonization determines the level of competition between civilizations.

Transcript

is the universe of alien civilizations defined by war as much or more than uh war defined human history i would say it's defined by competition and then the question is how much competition implies war so uh up until recently competition defined life on earth yes competition between species and organisms and among humans competitions among individu... Read More

Key Insights

• 🛟 Competition has historically defined life on Earth, both between species and among humans.
• 🎮 People today have the opportunity to control and limit competition within our civilization.
• 👻 Allowing interstellar colonization brings back competition with great force in expanding civilizations.
• 👽 The presence of competition in alien civilizations is almost certain, but the form of competition, whether military or not, remains uncertain.
• ✌️ The destructive power of weapons poses a challenge to the desire for peace and control of competition.
• ❓ Despite tremendous atrocities throughout history, humanity has displayed resilience and the ability to continue.
• 🫱 A nuclear war, while devastating, is unlikely to completely annihilate humanity or prevent its potential expansion.

Questions & Answers

Q: Is competition a fundamental force in the universe?

Yes, competition has been a fundamental force so far, driving innovation and progress in various spheres. It is likely to be present in alien civilizations.

Q: Can competition be controlled and limited within a civilization?

Some people believe that competition can be suppressed and managed well within a civilization, promoting peace and limiting destructive forms of competition.

Q: Can the desire to control competition be outweighed by the destructive power of weapons?

There is a concern that the destructive power of weapons, such as nuclear weapons, may overshadow the desire for peace, potentially leading to destructive competition.

Q: Can a global regime of governance limit competition and prevent expansion?

The establishment of global governance that restricts military and business competition could prevent the expansion of a civilization, including interstellar colonization.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Competition has historically defined life on Earth, both between species and among humans, often taking the form of war.

• Many people hope to suppress and end competition in human affairs, leading to the desire for world governance and the suppression of war.

• The choice to allow interstellar colonization determines the level of competition in alien civilizations, with the potential for competition at the borders but uncertainty regarding military competition.