This is a scenario I’ve been working on for close to 20 years and how the AI Gemini Advanced answered it.
Hard First Contact happens and a representative of a Galactic Empire lands its ship on the front lawn of the White House. Humans soon learn that they have a decision to make — the Galactic Empire wants to move billions of humans to three habitable plants in another solar system by the use of a pill that individuals would take. But there’s a catch — the Galactic Empire is willing to move Humans to this new “homeland” if they agree to some very strict conditions. The only assistance Humans will get will be the Big Move itself. The more Humans meet the metrics that the Galactic Empire has for such a massive move of people, the more assistance Humans will get. Humans have one year to decide if they want the opportunity of the Big Move. Most nations of the world are eager for the Big Move, but one — the USA. In the USA, there is a lot of debate. Some people believe the Galactic Empire, while others believe the Big Move is just a big ruse to enslave humanity. The fact that one option presented to Humans as part of the Big Move would involve the destruction of the USA and the use of it as the “seed” civilization for the three planets, which each planet getting approximately 100 million Americans. Give me some analysis of this scenario.
the technology used for the Big Move — a pill — is tested by a three individuals from across the globe. They take the pill on one side of the globe and appear in a clear pod the size of an adult human on the other side of the globe. the metrics that the empire expects is how much Humans prove that they are willing to work together. remember, the whole point of the Big Move is to prove that Humans are grown up enough as a species that they will put aside their “tribes” and see themselves as just humans.
a complex process is agreed upon for the decision on the Big Move. At the forefront is the G20. But also the UN is also involved. A quirk, the USA calls up a Constitutional Convention to make the decision about agreeing to the Big Move. There are actually three options for the Big Move. 1) the USA is the “seed” civilization for the three habitable planets. 2) the existing nations of the globe are spread over the geography of the three planets 3) the USA, Brazil and Russia are used as the “base” civilizations for the three planets because they are all multicultural to some degree. but the Empire makes it clear that 1 is what they would prefer humans use because it would establish a cultural baseline.
ahh, but there’s more. the decision was just the first part of a total 7 year process. we learn at some point that the reason why Humans must leave earth is both the globe is going to turn into Venus on a climate basis, but also von Neumann machines are rushing to the scene to destroy us. Once the decision is made to seed the three planets with humans a 5 year process of selecting and training the first participants for the big move begins. a number of ideas are proposed by their are three top contenders: 1) a large group of Americans (maybe 20 million) are the first Settlers on the three planets. they will use the common culture and politics of the USA — and a lot of Internet access and help from the Empire to speed things up really fast. 2) a really small, multicultural group from all over the globe is trained to work together and prepare for millions of Americans to arrive as the “seed” group 3) a really complex “weighed” system whereby maybe each planet has 6 million or so humans from all over the globe are the first settlers. Now, for the first few generations — maybe 100 years — every person who arrives from earth has to be — for seven years — an “indentured servant” whereby they help build out the infrastructure of the planet they are on. Because the USA is the seed of the three planets, a lot of the infrastructure of the USA is spread across the three planets — so, say, the Ivy League schools are rebuild not just on one planet, but spread across the three.
ok, now I need your help. this is the point in the scenario where things just get too complex for me to understand. how do you bootstrap global civilization from zero? I was thinking 9 “Chaebol” like companies that would use the indentured servants to build out a globe infrastructure. But how big should the first cities be? should their be restrictions about where people can live? I was thinking that after your seven years, that you can live wherever you want, or something. I just don’t know.
Humans have one year left in the seven year process. should they try to replicate the conditions of the first settlements on earth before the move so people are prepared?
Here is the answer I got from Gemini Advanced:
Bootstrapping a Galactic Civilization: Challenges and Possibilities
The scenario you’ve presented is a fascinating and complex thought experiment. Let’s delve into the challenges and possibilities of bootstrapping a global civilization from scratch on three new planets, with a focus on the role of the initial settlers and infrastructure development.
The Seed Civilization: The American Experiment
The decision to use the United States as the “seed” civilization for the three planets is a bold one, laden with both potential and risk.
Potential Advantages:
- Shared Culture and Governance: A common cultural baseline and political system can facilitate cooperation and decision-making, potentially speeding up the establishment of a functioning society.
- Technological and Institutional Knowledge: The US possesses a wealth of technological and institutional knowledge that can be leveraged for infrastructure development, resource management, and governance on the new planets.
- Strong Educational and Research Base: American universities and research institutions can be replicated across the three planets, providing a foundation for scientific and technological advancement.
Potential Challenges:
- Cultural Hegemony: The dominance of American culture could lead to resentment and conflict with individuals from other backgrounds, hindering social cohesion.
- Political Polarization: The deep political divisions within the US could be amplified in the new colonies, leading to instability and conflict.
- Resource Inequality: The initial focus on replicating American institutions might exacerbate existing inequalities and create new ones, leading to social unrest.
Initial Settlement and Infrastructure Development
The early stages of settlement will be crucial for laying the groundwork for a sustainable and thriving civilization. Here are some key considerations:
- City Planning: The initial cities should be designed with sustainability in mind, prioritizing resource efficiency, renewable energy, and waste management. Compact, walkable cities could reduce the need for extensive transportation infrastructure.
- Agriculture and Food Production: Establishing a robust agricultural system will be critical to ensure food security. A focus on permaculture and regenerative agriculture could help create a resilient and sustainable food supply.
- Resource Management: Identifying and sustainably utilizing local resources will be essential for the long-term viability of the colonies. This includes water, energy, and raw materials for construction and manufacturing.
- Governance and Social Structure: The development of fair and inclusive governance systems, along with strong social support networks, will be crucial for maintaining social cohesion and preventing conflict.
Indentured Servitude and the Chaebol Model
The concept of indentured servitude, while morally complex, could be a pragmatic solution for the initial labor shortage. The Chaebol model, with its focus on large, diversified conglomerates, could be adapted to manage this workforce and drive infrastructure development. However, safeguards must be in place to prevent exploitation and ensure fair treatment of the indentured servants.
Preparing for Arrival: Replicating Earth’s Conditions?
Whether or not to replicate Earth’s conditions on the new planets is a complex question with no easy answer. While some level of environmental adaptation will be necessary, maintaining a sense of familiarity could ease the transition for the settlers and help preserve cultural identity. This could involve replicating familiar landscapes, architectural styles, and even specific ecosystems within controlled environments.
A Final Year of Preparation
The final year leading up to the Big Move should be dedicated to intensive training and preparation for the settlers. This could include:
- Cultural Sensitivity Training: Educating settlers about the diverse cultural backgrounds they will encounter and promoting cross-cultural understanding.
- Survival Skills and Resource Management: Teaching settlers essential skills for living in a new environment, including agriculture, construction, and resource management.
- Governance and Leadership Training: Preparing individuals for leadership roles in the new colonies, with a focus on ethical decision-making and conflict resolution.
- Psychological Preparation: Helping settlers cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of leaving Earth and starting anew.
Conclusion
The Big Move represents a monumental challenge, but also a unique opportunity for humanity to start afresh and build a more sustainable and equitable society. By carefully considering the challenges and possibilities outlined here, we can increase the chances of a successful transition to a new galactic home.
