Risks of Long‑Range Interuniversal Missions: From Physics to Civilization

The article "Risks of Long‑Range Interuniversal Missions: From Physics to Civilization" systematises all categories of risks that we have been able to identify in preparing interuniversal expeditions — from physical to civilisational. It is shown that the main danger lies not in technical failures, but in the consequences of success: cheap energy and raw materials can destroy the economy, new technologies can make humans redundant, and contact with alien intelligence can deprive life of meaning. A risk map is proposed with assessments of probability, severity, and controllability. In contrast to idealistic calls for international coordination, the article acknowledges that the main driver of MBM technology development will be competition. Therefore, it proposes not "councils" and "committees", but deterrence mechanisms that work even under competitive conditions: mutual vulnerability, irreversibility thresholds, transparency, cost of violation, and preventive measures. The main conclusion is that we must be prepared not for failure, but for success — and for its consequences. The article draws on historical precedents (Spanish gold, the Columbian Exchange), economic theory, the sociology of risk, game theory, and the methodology of the Echo of Cognition.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-06-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21082175
Primary Topic
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
Type
preprint
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preprint

Risks of Long‑Range Interuniversal Missions: From Physics to Civilization

Alexander Yourievitch Kotelnikov
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
preprint

Risks of Long‑Range Interuniversal Missions: From Physics to Civilization

Alexander Yourievitch Kotelnikov
preprint en

Abstract

The article "Risks of Long‑Range Interuniversal Missions: From Physics to Civilization" systematises all categories of risks that we have been able to identify in preparing interuniversal expeditions — from physical to civilisational. It is shown that the main danger lies not in technical failures, but in the consequences of success: cheap energy and raw materials can destroy the economy, new technologies can make humans redundant, and contact with alien intelligence can deprive life of meaning. A risk map is proposed with assessments of probability, severity, and controllability. In contrast to idealistic calls for international coordination, the article acknowledges that the main driver of MBM technology development will be competition. Therefore, it proposes not "councils" and "committees", but deterrence mechanisms that work even under competitive conditions: mutual vulnerability, irreversibility thresholds, transparency, cost of violation, and preventive measures. The main conclusion is that we must be prepared not for failure, but for success — and for its consequences. The article draws on historical precedents (Spanish gold, the Columbian Exchange), economic theory, the sociology of risk, game theory, and the methodology of the Echo of Cognition.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
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