The Digital Press

A new study explores how advanced civilizations could use general relativity and time dilation near black holes to achieve interstellar travel within their lifespans. This approach might explain why we haven't detected galactic empires, shedding light on the Fermi paradox.

Why it matters: Time dilation near black holes could enable civilizations to travel across the Milky Way within a single lifetime, bypassing speed-of-light limits.

The big picture: Using classical physics, civilizations below Type II energy levels can maintain orbits near black holes, potentially creating galaxy-spanning empires.

The stakes: Vulnerability of relativistic vessels and rapid emergence of hostile civilizations support the "dark forest" hypothesis, explaining cosmic silence.

Commenters say: Readers find the fusion of astrophysics and the Fermi paradox compelling, while some debate the biological feasibility and technological assumptions.