
Not so big
If it encounters a phenomena capable of prolonged exponential growth. Particularly over geological timescales.
Which was Von Neumann's point. Once a civilization starts expanding, its ability to expand also expands. The result is an exponential ability to consume local resources, which is more than enough to fuel an indefinite spread through the galaxy at rates which are only limited by Einstein's theories. The result at 1% of the speed of light is 10 million years to cover the galaxy - which is an eyeblink in geological time. Even at 0.1% of the speed of light we could easily reach and colonize the entire Local Cluster (that includes the Andromeda galaxy) before the Sun burns out.
It take a truly astronomical coincidence (no pun intended) to find another advanced technological society in our galaxy that has not yet arrived at Earth.
Cheers,
Ben
To deny the indirect purchaser, who in this case is the ultimate purchaser, the right to seek relief from unlawful conduct, would essentially remove the word consumer from the Consumer Protection Act
- [link|http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?NewsID=1246&Page=1&pagePos=20|Nebraska Supreme Court]