The concept of developmental relativity: thoughts on the technological synchrony of interstellar civilizations

Journal article

Niklas Alexander Döbler
Space Policy, vol. 54, Elsevier, 2020

DOI: 10.1016/j.spacepol.2020.101391

Cite

APA Click to copy
Döbler, N. A. (2020). The concept of developmental relativity: thoughts on the technological synchrony of interstellar civilizations. Space Policy, 54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2020.101391

Chicago/Turabian Click to copy
Döbler, Niklas Alexander. “The Concept of Developmental Relativity: Thoughts on the Technological Synchrony of Interstellar Civilizations.” Space Policy 54 (2020).

MLA Click to copy
Döbler, Niklas Alexander. “The Concept of Developmental Relativity: Thoughts on the Technological Synchrony of Interstellar Civilizations.” Space Policy, vol. 54, Elsevier, 2020, doi:10.1016/j.spacepol.2020.101391.

BibTeX Click to copy

@article{doebler2020a,
  title = {The concept of developmental relativity: thoughts on the technological synchrony of interstellar civilizations},
  year = {2020},
  journal = {Space Policy},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  volume = {54},
  doi = {10.1016/j.spacepol.2020.101391},
  author = {Döbler, Niklas Alexander}
}

Abstract

The search for extraterrestrial intelligence often postulates a convergence of behavior and technological development. Even if this is true, the success of interstellar communication between two species depends on the synchronicity of their technologies. The assumption that the potentials of these species do not necessarily develop uniformly is called developmental relativity. Consideration of this concept offers a new perspective in the understanding of extraterrestrial intelligence and its technological development. I argue here that technological synchrony cannot be seen as undoubtedly given and is dependent on a variety of factors. Technological asynchrony might be a solution for the Fermi paradox.