Interstellar Empires
If a single superpower rules the entire universe, it quickly becomes a logistical nightmare. What challenges might arise in this reality, and how can they be overcome or avoided altogether? This hypothetical scenario forms the basis of Star Empire, an entertaining and informative documentary from science and futuristic filmmaker Isaac Arthur.
Arthur candidly admits that these concepts have been explored in popular sci-fi, including Frank Herbert’s seminal Dune. His films discuss the logic of seemingly far-fetched ideas in novels and video games, digging into their details while providing a dizzying swirl of interesting tangents.
The task of bringing order to every galaxy will prove daunting, to say the least. For example, if chaos erupted on the other side of the universe, it could take a million years to hear a distress call and send a fleet of spaceships to respond. Effective government would be unthinkable without light-speed progress, without extending the lifespan of ordinary people.
When one puzzling question sparks another, the film gasps. If lifespans could be extended far beyond our current expectations, how would this affect the properties and function of the universe? The film considers a number of factors that may have played a role, including concepts related to overpopulation, disease control, and the possibility of a democratic form of governing body.
Arthur explains how much technology and accepted scientific theories exist today that could provide the seeds for this imagined future. His narrative is constant, insightful, and often alternates between playful and studious. The film is also filled with stunning imaginative graphics, a wealth of appropriate footage, and a stirring ambient soundtrack.
Most of all, Star Empire inspires reflections on the possibility of a universe far wider than any of us can imagine. To its credit, it’s not steeped in apocalyptic fantasy like many of the “what-if” scenarios we see today. Instead, it offers the hope that anything is possible.
