Editing Technological Epoch

[[File: Technical Data.jpg|right]]
A [[Technological Epoch]] or ''Tech Epoch'' is a sequence of tech levels to which a society has attached some cultural importance. The most widely used system assigns tech levels in groups of three, assigning a name to each for better historical relevance. There exist other epoch periodization schemes that assign groups of TLs in groups of two to six, sometimes varying in number between the groupings. Given the nature of technological advancements, the border between each epoch is subject to controversy.

== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
Technological Epochs are one method used by [[sophontologist]]s to analyze a civilization.

The IISS and other groups assigning technology levels to worlds or cultures and equipment avoid the use of technological periods, preferring to assign specific technology levels and use a detailed technology profile. Sophontologists use a combination of Epoch and technology profiles to describe cultures under study. Historians use Epochs to compare societal advancements over history, though there is no broad agreement on which Epochs are the standards. 

The current set of divisions for Technological Epochs and their names are as follows:

*[[TL:1-3]] [[Tool Making Epoch]] 
* [[TL:4-6]] [[Division of Labor Epoch]]  
* [[TL:7-9]] [[Processor Epoch]] 
* [[TL:10-12]] [[Gravitics Epoch]] 
* [[TL:13-15]] [[Biologicals Epoch]] 
* [[TL:16-18]] [[Artificials Epoch]] 
* [[TL:19-21]] [[Matter Transport Epoch]]
* [[TL:22-24]] [[Transformations Epoch]]
* [[TL:25-27]] [[Psionics Epoch]]
* [[TL:28-30]] [[Trans-galactic Epoch]]
* [[TL:31-33]] [[Pocket Universe Epoch]]
* [[Singularity]]


=== IISS Chronological Periodization ===
: [[Technological Age]] (1 [[TL]]) → [[Technological Epoch]] (3 [[TL]]s) → [[Technological Period]] (9 [[TL]]s) → [[Technological Era]]/ [[Technological Eon]] → [[Post-Technological Period]]

== See also ==
{{Referral-Tree-Technology-Levels}}

== References ==
{{Metadata}}
{{Wikipedia|Epoch}}
{{Wikipedia|Epoch_(geology)}}
{{Wikipedia|Three-age_system}}
{{Advanced}}
{{Sources}}

{{LEN|Metric|Technology}}

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'''[[Charted Space|Charted Space Technological Spectrum]]:'''
* [[Proto-Tech]]
** [[TL-0]] [[Found Tools Period]]
* [[Ur-Tech]]
** [[TL:1-3]] [[Tool Making Epoch]] 
** [[TL:4-6]] [[Division of Labor Epoch]]  
** [[TL:7-9]] [[Processor Epoch]] 
* [[Stell-Tech]]
** [[TL:10-12]] [[Gravitics Epoch]] 
** [[TL:13-15]] [[Biologicals Epoch]] 
** [[TL:16-18]] [[Artificials Epoch]] 
* [[Ultra-Tech]]
** [[TL:19-21]] [[Matter Transport Epoch]]
** [[TL:22-24]] [[Transformations Epoch]]
** [[TL:25-27]] [[Psionics Epoch]]
* [[Dei-Tech]]
** [[TL:28-30]] [[Trans-galactic Epoch]]
* [[Omni-Tech]]
** [[TL:31-33]] [[Pocket Universe Epoch]]
* [[Post-Technological Period]]
** [[Singularity]]

== Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
''Tech Epoch''s are one method used by [[sophontologist]]s to analyze a civilization.

* [[Environment]]al mastery leads to [[urb]]anization and the development of more and more sophisticated [[device]]s and [[vehicle]]s. As the environment is mastered and scientific knowledge is fostered, more capable communication and energy management technologies are developed.
* For example, human mastery of the [[Three Prime Technologies]] leads to an [[interstellar society]] with time. However, other sophont societies may learn technology at different speeds and may never leave the first stage of development. Any tech level can be a technological ceiling for a [[civilization]].
* It seems that reaching [[TL-9]] is no guarantee for developing the [[jump drive]]. An advanced [[TL-9]] society theoretically can grow into an interstellar society, but in reality, it does not appear to happen at all, except in the cases of the [[Major Race]]s.

=== Micro-Singularities ===
Some sophonts measure tech epochs by an ending event: a technological revolution that upsets the status quo. Additional events like this might occur at the end of each [[tech epoch]], creating even more significant paradigmatic change.

{| class="wikitable sortable" 
|-
!colspan="7"| Technological Epochs
|-
! [[TL]]s
! Hierarchical<br>Technology<br>Epoch
! Epoch Hallmark
! Sophontic Period
! Smelchakian Period
! Key Indicators
! Remarks 
|-
| [[TL-Negative]]
| [[Pre-Sophontic Period]]
| [[Pre-Sophontic Period]]
| Pre-Sophontic
| [[Pre-Sophontic Period]]
| Pre-Historic Period (PHP) 
| The Rise of [[Life]]. [[Creature]]s. Pre-technology [[lifeform]]s.
|-
| [[TL-0]]
| [[Proto-Sophontic Period]] 
| [[Found Tools Period]]
| Proto-Sophontic
| [[Proto-Sophontic Period]] <br> (Alpha Period)
| Stone & Fire
| Development of a ''ur'' or ''proto'' level  [[culture]], [[society]], and [[civilization]]. Found objects. Before tools making tools.
|-
| [[TL:1-3]]
| [[Vlow Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Tool Making Epoch]]
| Early Sophontic 
| [[Foundational Period]], Early
| Sail & Steam
| Development of a modern scientific culture, society, and civilization. Made objects. Tools making tools.
|-
| [[TL:4-6]]
| [[Low Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Division of Labor Epoch]]
| Early Sophontic
| [[Foundational Period]], High 
| Atom & Factory
| Development of increasingly efficient communication, power generation, and transportation technologies. Standardization of scientific method and efficient manufacturing.
|-
| [[TL:7-9]]
| [[Mid Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Processor Epoch]]
| Early Sophontic
| [[Foundational Period]], Late
| [[Rocket]] & [[Computer]]
| Development of advanced processors allowing for an exponential increase in scientific research and engineering breakthroughs.
|-
| [[TL:10-12]]
| [[High Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Gravitics Epoch]]
| Meso-Sophontic
| [[Interstellar Period]], Early
| [[Jump Drive]] & [[Gravitics]]
| Practical gravity manipulation and its associated transportation systems revolutionize travel and the movement of goods. The Jump Drive opens up interstellar colonization and exploration to a never-knowledgeable degree.
|-
| [[TL:13-15]]
| [[Vhigh Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Biologicals Epoch]]
| Meso-Sophontic 
| [[Stell-Tech|Interstellar Period]], High
| [[Geneering]] & [[Wafertech]]
| The High Interstellar Epoch brings about increasingly capable jump drives, fusion weapons, cloning & engineering technologies, and advanced robot intelligence that are bordering upon true artificial intelligence.
|-
| [[TL:16-18]]
| [[Xhigh Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Artificials Epoch]]
| Meso-Sophontic
| [[Stell-Tech|Interstellar Period]], Late 
| [[Robot]]s & [[Lethetic AI]]
| The Late Interstellar Epoch brings about increasingly capable artificial intelligence, affordable robotic labor, and increasingly advanced FTL jump drives.
|-
| [[TL:19-21]]
| [[Uhigh-1 Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Matter Transport Epoch]]
| Late Sophontic
| [[Ultra Period]], Early
| [[Antimatter]] & [[Matter Transport]]
| The availability of elemental matter portals (transporting raw materials across AU distances efficiently) transforms concepts of physical value. The [[Skip Drive]] and its successors allow sophonts to explore other galaxies.
|-
| [[TL:22-24]]
| [[Uhigh-2 Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Transformations Epoch]]
| Late Sophontic
| [[Ultra Period]], High
| [[Postsophontism]] & [[Goo]]
| The lines between individuals blur as bodies become customizable, replaceable, and disposable. Post-sophontism (individualized transformation) and the development of practical nanotech are often called the “Goo.”
|-
| [[TL:25-27]]
| [[Uhigh-3 Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Psionics Epoch]]
| Late Sophontic
| [[Ultra Period]], Late
| [[Psionic Engineering]] & [[Inertialess Drive]]
| Psionic engineering, practical societal engineering, effective psychohistory, and others now allow not only individuals to be transformed but entire societies and civilizations.
|-
| [[TL:28-30]]
| [[Dei Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Trans-galactic Epoch]]
| [[Hyper-Sophontic Epoch]]
| [[Astrodeific Period]] 
| Galactic Scale [[Megastructure]]s & [[Topopolis]]es
| Technology develops capabilities to manipulate worlds and stars: to move them, harvest them for their matter and energy, and convert them to other large-scale objects. The ability to visit other universes changes society profoundly. Entirely different astronomical environments engender new viewpoints.
|-
| [[TL:31-33]]
| [[Omni Tech Epoch]] 
| [[Pocket Universe Epoch]]
| [[Trans-Sophontic Epoch]]
| [[Omnipotential Period]] <br> (Omega Period)
| [[Chronotaxis]] & Transuniversalism.
| The ability to create and manipulate [[pocket universe]] infinitely expands available resources and turns all but the most adventurous inward. Time travel heralds the Singularity. Technological existence is forever transformed. Multiple possible existences motivate sophists to seek existence beyond technology.
|-
| TL-34+
| [[The Singularity]] 
| [[PTP]]
| Post-Sophontic
| (Post-Omega Period)
| [[The Singularity]] & [[PTP]].
| [[Society]] reaches a critical point in its development. Beyond imagination. Beyond [[technology]]. Beyond any previous definition of [[life]].
|-
|}


== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
In the highly diverse section of the galaxy known as [[Charted Space]], a wide variety of technological civilizations exist and often coexist, which means that [[metric]]s and protocols had to be developed not only for [[surveyor]]s and [[scout]]s, but also for [[merchant prince]]s, [[explorer]]s, and [[sophontologist]]s... among others. Rough guidelines exist for every [[TL]], but alien civilizations have a way of exceeding or defying benchmarks, so the much harsher ''Technological Epoch'' designation was invented by the [[IISS]]. It encompasses three [[TL]]s spanning an extensive period of development, making classification much more accessible, especially after a [[first contact]] scenario when little might be known about a new sophont society.

So, for instance, a very early technology civilization containing technological benchmarks from [[TL-1]], [[TL-2]], and [[TL-3]] capabilities would be known as a [[TL:1-3]] society. The epochs are grouped into batches of three, and when a civilization contains a higher benchmark than a set grouping, the higher tech epoch is defaulted to. For instance, a society that might initially be judged as a [[TL:1-3]] society is observed to have [[TL-4]] technologies, so it would then be reclassified as a [[TL:4-6]] society or simply a [[TL-4]] society if higher technologies (...[[TL-5]] or [[TL-6]]) were not judged to be present.

It is a flexible and inexact measure of technological development.

=== Standard Polity Growth Sequence ===
MACRO LEVEL:
* [[Proto-Society]] → [[Society]] → [[Civilization]] → [[Singularity|Singularity (Post-civilizational)]]

MICRO LEVEL:
* [[Proto-Society]] → [[Band Society]] → [[Tribal Society]] or [[Chiefdom]] → [[City-State]] → [[Nation-State]] → [[World-State]] → [[Pocket Empire]] → [[Interstellar State]] → [[Intergalactic State]] → [[Final State]] → [[Singularity]]

=== Civilization Stages ===
# Pre-existence 
# Creature Existence 
# Proto-civilization 
# Sophontic Civilization 
# Ascendant Civilization 
# Transcendent Civilization 
# Singularity

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- 
!colspan="5"| Civilization Stages
|-
! #
! Stage
! [[TL]]
! [[Society]]
! Remarks
|- 
| 1.
| Pre-existence
| [[TL-Negative]]
| None 
| Not much is known about the origin of [[life]], which is conjectured to be [[abiogenesis]], or life arising from where there was none. In this [[environment]], no conventional life is theorized to have existed, but [[A-life]], or pseudo life, is thought to have pre-existed [[conventional life]]. 
|-  
| 2.
| Creature Existence 
| [[TL-Negative]]
| None 
| The first [[life]] is thought to have been exceedingly simple, probably acellular, pre-DNA, and almost unnoticeable. But it was [[conventional life]], and later life built upon it. More sophisticated [[life]] evolved from these humble origins into sophisticated multicellular  [[creature]]s. However, these [[creature]]s lack higher intelligence, civilization, and [[technology]]. 
|- 
| 3.
| Proto-civilization
| [[TL-0]]
| [[Proto-Society]]
| The very first [[creature]]s to evolve multiple hallmarks of [[sophonce]] become known as [[Proto-sophont]]s, and they develop [[Proto-civilization]]s, recognizable by later [[sophont]]s as early societies with basic but fundamental [[technology]]. Proto-sophonts are classified as: {{TL|0}}.
|- 
| 4.
| Sophontic Civilization 
| TL:1-27
| [[Band Society]] → [[Tribal Society]] or [[Chiefdom]] → [[City-State]] → [[Nation-State]] → [[World-State]] → [[Pocket Empire]] → [[Interstellar State]] → [[Intergalactic State]] 
| [[Sophont]]s are sophisticated, highly intelligent [[technology]]-using species. They develop advanced technologies, [[culture]]s, societies, and civilizations. They actively seek to master themselves and their [[environment]]. They use a variety of technologies: (TL-1 to 27). 
|- 
| 5.
| Transcendent Civilization 
| [[TL:28-30]]
| [[Final State]] 
| [[Transcendent]]s have begun the transition to the [[Singularity]]. They control advanced technologies (TL-28 to 30) and have cultures and societies paradigmatically different from less advanced [[sophont]]s. Many such societies begin to explore [[Pocket Universe|alternate dimension]]s and [[pocket universe]]s.
|- 
| 6.
| Ascendant Civilization 
| [[TL:31-33]]
| [[Final State]] 
| [[Ascendant]]s are working towards an active transition to the [[Singularity]]. They control the most sophisticated technologies imagined by sophontdom (TL-31 to 33). In nearly every practical way but not in every effect, they have achieved omnipotence. The key technologies defining transcendents are [[temporal technology]], [[reality manipulation]], [[chronotaxis]] (time travel), and manipulation of time itself. Their powers are near limitless. Some lesser [[sophont]] species  call them "space gods." They have goals and motivations near incomprehensible to less advanced beings. 
|- 
| 7.
| [[Singularity]]
| TL:34+ [[Post-Technological Period]] ([[PTP]])
| [[Singularity]] 
| The [[Singularity]] is a very nebulous term for both [[black hole]]s and a hypothetical condition of life beyond [[technology]], [[civilization]], and life itself as confusing as that may sound. Some call it the afterlife while others call it the ''Post-Technological Period''. Some even think that it is a future stage of life when [[sophont]] and [[machine]] merge. There is scant evidence for it, but many thinkers hypothesize that it exists. 
|- 
|}

== See also ==
Please refer to the following [[AAB]] [[Library Data]] for more information: <br>
* [[Technology]]
** [[Imperial Research Station|Technological Research]]
*** [[Ancients Foundation]]
*** [[Biotechnology]]
*** [[Imperial Research Station]]
*** [[Technology Incubator]]
** [[Metric|Technological Systemics]]
*** [[Accelerating Tech Level]]
*** [[QREBS]]
*** [[Tech Age]]
*** [[Tech Eon]]
*** [[Tech Epoch]]
*** [[Tech Era]]
*** [[Tech Level Comparison Chart]]
*** [[Tech Period]]
*** [[Technology Level]] 
*** [[Three Prime Technologies]]
*** [[Universal Technological Profile]]