⭐ — Logical Schelling point : meeting up at the core

From 2018, « Archipel de pensées »

➠ What is a Schelling point ?

Wikipedia quote :

In game theory, a focal point — or Schelling point — is a solution that people tend to choose by default in the absence of communication in order to avoid coordination failure. The concept was introduced by the American economist Thomas Schelling in his book The Strategy of Conflict (1960).

Said simply, a Schelling point is a identical default choice made by multiple actors even in the absence of communication. For example, going back to your home to find your mother if you went out and lost her in the crowd (and let's say you didn't have a phone). This is the more evident Schelling point for both of you to meet you back. 

➠ Schelling point for intelligent species 

In a vast galaxy, where communication is long and painful due to the inherited light-speed limit (C), intelligent species have to work out logical agreements in the absence of counterparts like if they were here.

The first Schelling point to riddle is where we could all go  — where do we meet ?

For that, we are looking for a common zone, accessible from all abroad the galaxy, with movement minimization from all the position — even if we don't see ourselves — and which, in terms of visibility and access, behaves like a bottleneck.

The simplest answer to this question is the galaxy core, or galaxy bulge. Where possibly ancient species lives, and young ones goes. A bottleneck closed by a black hole.

➠ Let's consider the counter-proposals

" The more logical point to go is elsewhere in the galaxy " ;

How to make sure all intelligent species can see it from their relative position (if it was hidden by the bulge, for example) — while minimizing movement from all possible points ?

" The more logical point is outside the galaxy " ;

This is pure nonsense as it would require to travel more from a vast majority of the positions in the galaxy — without even speaking about how to find it — this isn't a Schelling point.

➠ Synthesis (#Key:AICocreation — Gemini)

Without a means of communication, it is a gamble. There are possibly other options, such as areas rich in nebulae, which are very visible — and which over the duration and distances considered, have other advantages such as relative ease of access.

While a distant nebula could be inaccessible for certain civilizations (for example those diametrically opposed), one could nevertheless imagine a system with several meeting points : a subdivision of the path to the galactic core, a bit like relay points on a long journey.

Rather than aiming for a very distant precise point, areas rich in nebulae could allow meeting other intelligent species in smaller areas —even if meeting chances are low temporally speaking — in order to exchange, explore and then move on to the next relay point.

This could also create a "natural filter" effect for access to the galactic core because the less technologically advanced civilizations would have more difficulty crossing all these areas — especially considering the distances and duration involved — as the mere factor here would be space travel capacities.

#Key:Meta #Key:Wow! #Key:Starred