Difference between revisions of "Technology Level"

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[[File: Technical Data.jpg|right]]
 
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[[Technology Level]] or ''[[Tech Level]]'', commonly abbreviated ''[[TL]]'', is a measure of technological capability and sophistication.  
+
Technology is the ability to use tools to make other tools. {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=223}} [[Technology Level]], or ''Tech Level'' and commonly abbreviated ''TL'', is a measure of technological capability and sophistication. Technology Level is a rating of several interconnected ideas regarding the understanding and use of technology by a species, population, or government.  
−
* Usually this is used in the [[Universal World Profile]] ([[UWP]]) to indicate the overall [[technology]] of a [[planet]] or [[mainworld]].
 
−
* Many [[planet]]s may have large geographic areas, and/or [[population]]s at a more primitive or advanced [[tech level]] than listed.
 
  
 +
The Technology level index varies on a scale from 0 to 33, based upon current understanding of the physical laws of the universe. Most worlds in the [[Third Imperium]] have a TL between 7 and 12, with a maximum of 15 and a few rated at 16. The other major races have a similar ratings for worlds within their sphere of influence. Worlds outside of the major empires have somewhat lower TLs, though with some known interesting exceptions.
  
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==  Description ([[Specifications]]) ==
+
The TL assigned as part of the [[Universal World Profile]] is the ''Common'' or ''Base'' TL, characterizing the level of technology commonly available on the world. {{Page cite|name=First In|page=108}} This is the level encountered near the [[starport]] and in most urban areas. {{Page cite|name=World Builder's Handbook|page=58}}
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'''OVERVIEW:''' [[Technology Level]] (abbreviated ''tech level'' or ''TL'') is a rating. It rates the capability of typical equipment used by the average citizen on his or her [[world]]. The tech level of a [[star]] [[system]] has a significant effect on its economy and the extent of its [[interstellar trade]]. [[Technology]] is essentially a 10x force multiplier for economies: a TL-5 society is roughly ten times as productive and powerful as a TL-4 one. However, while many technologies have the capacity to bring great prosperity and economic wealth to [[planet]], technology also has the capacity to be tremendously disruptive of local [[culture]]s, [[societies]], and peoples. Generally, technology tends to increase the quality of [[life]] for the average [[sophont]], but it is not a guarantee. It is very possible for a [[sophont]] on a very low-tech [[world]] to have a higher quality of life than a sophont in a high-tech [[star]] [[system]].  
 
  
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=== Average Tech, Mastered Tech & Research Tech Levels ===
+
== Overview ==
−
Average technologies in common use within the [[Third Imperium]] are very often considerably lower than the high end of ([[TL-15]] or [[TL-F]]) Imperial technological achievement. Each of the [[polities]] of the [[major race]]s has a different average, sustainable technology level, but most [[system]]s and [[world]]s average in the [[TL:10-12]] range, with the most capable,  [[High Technology World|higher tech worlds]] averaging in the [[TL:13-15]] range.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="2"| Technology Levels
 +
|-
 +
! TL !! Approximate Era or key development
 +
|-
 +
| 0 || Primitive Stone Age
 +
|-
 +
| 1 || Bronze and Iron Ages
 +
|-
 +
| 2 || Age of Sail
 +
|-
 +
| 3 || Industrial Revolution
 +
|-
 +
| 4 || Mechanization
 +
|-
 +
| 5 || Mass production
 +
|-
 +
| 6 || Nuclear Power,
 +
|-
 +
| 7 || [[Electronics]]
 +
|-
 +
| 8 || Superconductors
 +
|-
 +
| 9 || Fusion Power, [[Gravity Control Technology|Gravitics]]
 +
|-
 +
| 10 || First [[Jump Drive]]s
 +
|-
 +
| 11 || [[Fusion+]], Imperial maximum year [[0]]
 +
|-
 +
| 12 || Sophisticated Robots
 +
|-
 +
| 13 || Holographics, Imperial maximum year [[550]]
 +
|-
 +
| 14 || [[Geneering]], Imperial maximum year [[900]]
 +
|-
 +
| 15 || [[Anagathics]], Imperial maximum year [[1105]]
 +
|-
 +
| 16 || Global Terraforming, [[Darrian]] maximum
 +
|-
 +
| 17 || [[Hop Drive]], [[Power_Plant_Technologies_of_Charted_Space|Antimatter]] power
 +
|-
 +
| 18 || Disruptor and Disintegrator weapons
 +
|-
 +
| 19 || Limited Matter Transport
 +
|-
 +
| 20 || [[Skip Drive]]s
 +
|-
 +
| 21+ || Beyond current technology extrapolation.
 +
|}
 +
Technology Level measures the degree of technological expertise, and thus the capabilities of local industry to manufacture and repair or maintain items. {{Page cite|name=Worlds and Adventures|version=Classic Traveller|page=7-8}} It serves as an overall economic indicator of the society to produce goods. {{Page cite|name=Striker|article=Integration with Traveller, Rule 73: Military Spending|page=38-38}}
 +
 
 +
A Technology Level is roughly an order of magnitude increase in capability across the three measures of technology: labor enhancement, quality improvement, and achievement of impossibilities. {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=223}} Worlds (societies, cultures, civilizations, stellar federations, interstellar empires) are classified by their available technology. Each is evaluated on the available technology and assigned a Technology Level, indicating the common capabilities of the world in the creation of and use of technology. {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=224}}
  
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=== Tech Levels 0 through 21 ===
+
While many technologies have the capacity to bring great prosperity and economic wealth to [[planet]], technology also has the capacity to be tremendously disruptive of local [[culture]]s, [[societies]], and peoples.
 +
 
 +
=== Technology Level determination ===
 +
A world which has developed an independent technology maintains its common tech level for the majority of its territory. Some regions (typically near the
 +
starport) may have slightly higher tech levels based on the availability of imported goods.
 +
 
 +
The Tech Level for an interstellar society is based on the TLs of its significant worlds. Determinations are made for defined regions (usually a [[subsector]]). If the interstellar society is larger than a subsector, it is divided into subsector-sized regions, with higher tech subsectors dominating their lower tech subsector neighbors. The TL of the subsector is determined by the highest TL for an Industrial World within the subsector. This TL governs the construction of the military and naval forces of the society. The highest generally available TL within a society equals the highest TL for its most important world.
 +
 
 +
=== Technological advancement ===
 +
Technological advancement is a process of development of a new level of technological achievement beyond that currently possessed. As such, it is
 +
an uncertain process: spending and research may bring critical breakthroughs quickly, or prolonged efforts and continued funding may fail utterly to achieve the desired results. In addition to the costs and time necessary to develop such technology, a certain level of automation is required indicated by minimum infrastructure and population requirements. {{Page cite|name=Pocket Empires|page=51|citeName=PE51}}
 +
 
 +
Technological uplifting is the process of raising a world's Tech Level by the transfer of technical knowledge from another world with a higher Tech Level. Naturally, this limits uplifting to the current maximum available Tech Level. Technological uplifting is not a function of developing new technology. It involves developing or modifying a world's existing infrastructure, political climate, cultural norms, etc. to incorporate the existing technology of another world. Such uplifting must consider not only construction of the new technology but also education on its usage and provisions for maintenance and repair. Since the research and development necessary to develop the level of technological achievement has already occurred, the adoption of this technology on subsequent worlds will be much cheaper, and more easily attained. {{Page cite|citeName=PE51}}
 +
 
 +
=== Accelerating Tech Levels ===
 +
Technology beyond {{TL|21}} borders on or achieves the fantastic: it not routinely
 +
available to lower tech levels, and it harnesses capabilities only dreamed of by lesser technologies. {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=236}} Levels above 21 are the ''Accelerating Tech Levels'', each of them tends to be of shorter duration and each leads at an ever-accelerating pace to the next. The technologies addressed by TLs above 21 are frighteningly powerful and exceptionally susceptible to disaster. As a [[society]] progresses to each new Accelerating Tech Level, the focus shifts to a different technology. {{Page cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=235}}
 +
 
 +
=== Technological Singularity ===
 +
The endpoint in the TL scale achieves tools that are self-replicating, self-improving, and panscient. Societies reaching the technological singularity choose, or have chosen for them, consequences of their continued technological advancement. Some societies moves beyond technology advancing to metaphysical pursuits which transcend a physical existence, while others retreat returning to earlier levels and begin their process of advancement again.
 +
 
 +
== Technological Profiles ==
 +
The default Technology scale describes a general advancement of technology. However, few cultures follow the exact pattern of technical achievement in theoretical science implied by the standard TL system. {{Page cite|name=First In|version=GURPS Traveller|page=108}} The Technological Profile divides the Technology Level a number of areas (known as Area Tech Level or ATL), each assigned an individual level index.
 +
 
 +
Technology is spread across a range of Technology Levels. Although the majority of goods on a world reflect its Tech Level, there may be higher TL goods (experimental models, prototypes, or early versions) or there may be lower
 +
TL goods (advanced or improved versions of older or more mature technology).
 +
 
 +
The ATL at a higher level than the base TL indicates the culture has more theoretical knowledge than it is willing or capable of implementing in practical technology. There may well have been recent breakthroughs in the area, but goods, where available are likely to be expensive or unreliable.
 +
 
 +
Where the ATL is lower than the common TL indicates development in the area has been retarded in that area. This may be a failure of local research and development or the population simply prefers off-world products.
 +
 
 +
For a detailed description of each of the Area Technologies and their associated development please see the [[Tech Level Comparison Chart]].
 +
 
 +
== Technological Periods ==
 +
On a very broad level, Imperial historians have divided contemporary and future history into [[technological epoch]]s and [[Technological Period|periods]]. This chronological periodization also projects where future technological trends might be found as evidenced by [[Ancients]] technology and that of other [[Precursor]]s.
 +
 
 +
The idea of Technological [[Wikipedia:Periodization|Periodization]] begins with the ''Technology Age'', the period of time it takes for a society, a world, or an interstellar state, to advance from one technology level to another. Depending upon the starting point, nature of the society, and available resources this time may be a span of years to millennia. Historians both within the Imperium and across Charted Space gather and categorize these ages to facilitate the study and analysis of history.
 +
 
 +
The next level is the [[Technological Epoch]], a sequence of tech levels to which a society has attached some cultural importance. The most widely used system assigns lech levels in groups of three, assigning a name to each for better historical relevance. There exist other epoch periodization schemes which 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.
 +
 
 +
The final level is the [[Technological Period]], a much broader scale dividing the entire technological scale into three parts, each roughly covering 9 technological levels based upon the amount of energy the civilization is able to use. The first level is planetary scale, covering TLs 0 to 9, the second a stellar or interstellar scale, covering TLs 10 to around 18 to 20, and the third a galactic scale covering TLs 18 to 20 to the singularity.
 +
 
 +
These [[Technological Era]]s or [[Technological Eon]]s (the terms are interchangeable), represent the complete cycle of a sophont civilization. The cycle of each period end with the technological singularity.
 +
 
 +
: [[Technological Age]] (1 [[TL]]) → [[Technological Epoch]] (3 [[TL]]s) → [[Technological Period]] (9 [[TL]]s) → [[Technological Era]]/ [[Technological Eon]] → [[Post-Technological Period]]
 +
 
 +
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 using a detailed technology profile. Sophontologists use a combination of Epoch and technology profiles to describe sophont cultures. Historians use Epochs to compare societal advancements over history, though there is no broad agreement as to which Epochs are the standards. 
 +
 
 +
== Tech Levels 0 through 21 ==
 
This TL table is a list of technological levels and short descriptions. The descriptions correlate TLs to periods in history or alternately, future technology.
 
This TL table is a list of technological levels and short descriptions. The descriptions correlate TLs to periods in history or alternately, future technology.
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"  
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"  
Line 212: Line 310:
 
|}
 
|}
  
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=== Tech Levels 22 through 33 ===
 
−
Levels above 21 are the [[Accelerating Tech Level]]s: each of them tends to be of shorter duration and each leads at an ever-accelerating pace to the next. The technologies addressed by TLs above 21 are frighteningly powerful and exceptionally susceptible to disaster. As a [[society]] progresses to each new [[Accelerating Tech Level]], the focus shifts to a different [[technology]].
 
−
 
−
All advancing [[technological level]]s are [[Accelerating Tech Level]]s to one degree or another. Many [[scientist]]s within [[Charted Space]] argue that the concept will apply most significantly to the [[TL:19-27]] [[Ultra Period]] or higher. Others argue for any level above [[TL-22]].
 
−
 
−
=== The Singularity (TL-34+) ===
 
−
When the [[society]] moves beyond TL-33, it reaches the [[Singularity]]. Some  think of it occurring within the [[TL:31-33]] technological epoch. Noone really knows, or if they do know, they aren't telling. The technologies focused on for the past thirty-three [[TL]]s are strong indicators of the fate awaiting the [[culture]]. A focus on more warlike technologies points the [[society]] towards destruction, while a focus on peaceful engineering disciplines tends to point the [[society]] towards survival. A balance of the various technologies available may result in ascension to a post-technological existence.
 
−
 
−
=== Epochal Technological Periods ===
 
−
On a very broad level, Imperial historians, scientists, and scouts have divided contemporary and future history into [[technological epoch]]s and [[Tech Period|periods]]. This chronological periodization also projects where future technological trends might be found as evidenced by [[Ancients]] [[technology]] and that of other [[Precursor]]s:
 
−
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="7"| Epochal Technological Periods Overview
 
−
|-
 
−
! Period Name <br> (Multi-Epoch)
 
−
! Periods ([[TL]]s)
 
−
! [[Technology]] (Kardashev)
 
−
! Scope
 
−
! Key Technologies
 
−
! General Period
 
−
! Remarks
 
−
|-
 
−
| Proto-Sophontic 
 
−
([[Emergent Period]])
 
−
| [[TL-0]]
 
−
| [[Proto-Tech]]
 
−
(K= Type n>0)
 
−
[Hemisphere Mastery]
 
−
| Very early [[societies]] with basic "[[Found Tool|found object]]" [[tool]]s and a [[planet]]ary ([[world]]) scope.
 
−
| [[Found tool]]s, [[mysticism]], [[proto-science]], [[proto-culture]], [[proto-art]], [[band societies]], caves, [[etc.]]
 
−
| [[Alpha Period]]
 
−
| These species have made the jump from [[creature]] to [[sophont]]. They are new to technology, and are beginning to use it to develop new [[societies]] and [[civilization]]s. They use [[found tool]]s, but haven't yet figured out how to use [[tool]]s to make more advanced tools yet.
 
−
* Some call them ''Stone Age.''
 
−
|-
 
−
| Low Sophontic
 
−
([[Foundational Period]])
 
−
| [[TL:1-3]] <br> [[TL:4-6]] <br> [[TL:7-9]]
 
−
| [[Ur-Tech]]
 
−
(K= Type 1) <br> [World Mastery]
 
−
| Foundational [[technologies]] with planetary-systemic (intrastellar) scope. "Tools making tools or ''made objects''."
 
−
| [[Steam Engine]]s, [[celestial navigation]], urban sanitation, factories, interchangeable parts, [[ICE engine]], [[electronics]], [[spacecraft]], [[fission power]] (nuclear), etc.
 
−
| [[Ur Period]]
 
−
| [[Minor Race]]s frequently establish successful [[civilization]]s in this range, often with very capable [[spaceflight]] programs and [[sleeper ship]]s. Such societies typically master engineering, [[astrophysics]], earth sciences, [[medicine]], and variety of other [[science]]s at proficient levels capable of building a unified [[World-State]].
 
−
* Some call them ''Space Age.''
 
−
|-
 
−
| Meso-Sophontic
 
−
([[Stell-Tech|Interstellar Period]])
 
−
| [[TL:10-12]] <br> [[TL:13-15]] <br> [[TL:16-18]]
 
−
(A to J)
 
−
| [[Stell-Tech]]
 
−
(K= Type 2) <br> [Star System Mastery]
 
−
| Interstellar [[technologies]] with an polystellar (intragalactic) scope.
 
−
| [[FTL]], [[fusion]] power, advanced manufacturing ([[Makertech]]), advanced medicine, [[cloning]], lethetic robotics, early nanotechnology, advanced [[artificial intelligence]], etc.
 
−
| [[Stellar Period]]
 
−
| All of the [[Major Race]]s possess interstellar technology within this range, with the current vanguard at [[TL-15]].
 
−
* Some call them ''Interstellar Age.''
 
−
|-
 
−
| High Sophontic
 
−
([[Ultra Period]])
 
−
| [[TL:19-21]] <br> [[TL:22-24]] <br> [[TL:25-27]]
 
−
(K to T)
 
−
| [[Ultra-Tech]]
 
−
(K= Type 3)
 
−
[Galaxy Mastery]
 
−
| Galactic [[technologies]] with a polygalactic scope.
 
−
| Transgalactic [[FTL]], antimatter power, highly advanced biotechnology, advanced nanotechnology, true artificial intelligence, etc.
 
−
| [[Galactic Period]]
 
−
| Some believe that the [[Kursae]], despite their lack of a [[Jump Drive]] were able to achieve many of these advances.
 
−
* Some call them ''Galactic Age.''
 
−
|-
 
−
| Transcendent 
 
−
([[Astrodeific Period]])
 
−
| [[TL:28-30]]
 
−
(U to W)
 
−
| [[Dei-Tech]]
 
−
(K= Type 4)
 
−
[Universe Mastery]
 
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| Astrodeific [[technologies]] with a universal scope.
 
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| [[Planet-bending]], [[geneering]] (sophont creation), nano mastery, etc.
 
−
| [[Transgalactic Period]]
 
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| Most technological researchers believe that most of these technologies were within reach of the [[Ancients]].
 
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* Some call it the ''Age of Space Gods.''
 
−
|-
 
−
| Ascendant
 
−
([[Bhodhisattivan Period]])
 
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| [[TL:31-33]]
 
−
(X to Z)
 
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| [[Omni-Tech]]
 
−
(K= Type 5)
 
−
[Polyuniversal Mastery]
 
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| Bhodhisattivan [[technologies]] with a polytemporal, trans-dimensional scope.
 
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| [[Chronotaxis]] (time travel), dimension-hopping, reality mastery, etc.
 
−
| [[Omega Period]]
 
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| Most technological researchers believe that most of these conjectural technologies were beyond even the [[Ancients]].
 
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* Some call it the ''Age of Elder Races.''
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[Singularity]]
 
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([[Post-Technological Period]])
 
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| TL-34+
 
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| [[PTP]]
 
−
(K= Type 'Post-Omega')
 
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[Unimaginable]
 
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| This sort of technology is beyond imagination.
 
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| This sort of technology is beyond imagination.
 
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| [[Post-Omega Period]]
 
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| This sort of existence is beyond imagination. Often known as the hypothetical ''[[Post-Technological Period]] ([[PTP]])''.
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
−
== History & Background ([[Dossier]]) ==
 
−
The [[Third Imperium]]'s most advanced [[technologies]] in common use are (TL-15) technologies. Some [[High Technology World|cutting-edge worlds]] have achieved an unsustainable, theoretical ([[TL-16]]) rating, but are not yet in wide usage. The [[Darrian]]s or [[Daryen]] are a prominent example of such a [[society]] with access to [[TL-16]] technologies.
 
−
 
−
=== Technological Epochs ===
 
−
The scientists of [[Charted Space]] have, more or less, agreed upon a vision of the future outlined below. Who knows if the future of [[Charted Space]] will resemble these projections?
 
−
 
−
{| 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 degree never before known.
 
−
|-
 
−
| [[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 & geneering technologies, and advanced robot intelligences 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 it successors allows sophonts to finally 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, 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 engenders 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]]s 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 motivates sophonts 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]].
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
{{Referral-Tree-U-Universal-World-Profile}}
 
{{Referral-Tree-U-Universal-World-Profile}}
Line 501: Line 358:
 
{{Wikipedia|White's_law}}
 
{{Wikipedia|White's_law}}
 
{{Wikipedia|World_energy_consumption}}
 
{{Wikipedia|World_energy_consumption}}
 +
{{Wikipedia|Periodization}}
 
{{Advanced}}
 
{{Advanced}}
 
{{Sources
 
{{Sources
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|S1= This article is an amalgamation of many different materials published since 1977.
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| {{Ludography cite|name= Worlds and Adventures|version=Classic Traveller|page=7-8, 14-15,17}}
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|S2= {{Ludography cite|name= Worlds and Adventures|page=7-8, 14-15}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name= Scouts|version=Classic Traveller|page=26}}
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|S3= {{Ludography cite|name= Imperium Staple 07|page= TBD |article=Tech Level Expansion}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name=Merchant Prince|version=Classic Traveller|page=34,37}}
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|S4= {{Ludography cite|name= Challenge 31|page=27|article=Twisting Tech Levels: A Traveller Variant}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name= Imperium Staple 07|page= 3 |article=Tech Level Expansion}}
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|S5= {{Ludography cite|name= Referee's Companion|page=28-29}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name= Challenge 31|page=27|article=Twisting Tech Levels: A Traveller Variant}}
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|S6= {{Ludography cite|name= World Builder's Handbook |page= TBD}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name= Referee's Companion|page=26-34}}
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|S7= {{Ludography cite|name= Fire, Fusion, & Steel|page=7}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name= World Builder's Handbook |page= 58,83-86}}
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|S8= {{Ludography cite|name= Signal-GK 13 |page= TBD}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name= Fire, Fusion, & Steel|page=6-8,37}}
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|S9= [[K. David Ladage]], "Alternate Technological Paths", ''[[Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society Online|JTAS Online]]'' (2001)
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| {{Ludography cite|name= Pocket Empires|version=Marc Miller's Traveller|page=51-52,108}}
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|S10= [[K. David Ladage]], "Alternate Technologies II: Relativity", ''[[Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society Online|JTAS Online]]'' (2001)
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| {{Ludography cite|name= Signal-GK 13 |page= 30-31|article=Low Tech}}
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|S11= {{Ludography cite|name= The Traveller's Handbook|page=378}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name=First In |page=94-95, 108-117}}
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|S12= {{Ludography cite|name= T5 Core Rules|page=502-507}}
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| [[K. David Ladage]], "Alternate Technological Paths", ''[[Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society Online|JTAS Online]]'' (2001)
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|S13= EXTERNAL LINK: [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TechnologyLevels Technology Levels at TV Tropes]
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| [[K. David Ladage]], "Alternate Technologies II: Relativity", ''[[Journal of the Travellers' Aid Society Online|JTAS Online]]'' (2001)
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|S14= EXTERNAL LINK: [http://www.angelfire.com/empire2/savage/1WorldOrder/Home-Rules/Ages_of_Traveller.html Technology Ages of Traveller (in MTU)] by [[Admiral Savage]]
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| {{Ludography cite|name= The Traveller's Handbook|page=378}}
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|S15= [[Traveller Wiki Editorial Team]]
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| [[Ken Pick]], "An Analysis of Tech Levels", ''[[Freelance Traveller]] 012'' (2010): 10-12
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|S16= Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
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| {{Ludography cite|name= T5 Core Rules|page=502-507}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name=Starships|version=Traveller 5th|page=223-237}}
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| {{Ludography cite|name=Worlds and Adventures|version=Traveller 5th|page=19}}
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| External Link: [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TechnologyLevels Technology Levels at TV Tropes]
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| External Link: [http://www.angelfire.com/empire2/savage/1WorldOrder/Home-Rules/Ages_of_Traveller.html Technology Ages of Traveller (in MTU)] by [[Admiral Savage]]
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| Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology [[Maksim-Smelchak]] of the [[Ministry of Science]]
 
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[[Category: Culture]]
 
[[Category: Culture]]
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[[Category: Planet]]
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[[Category: Planets]]
 
[[Category: Science]]
 
[[Category: Science]]
 
{{LE|Charted Space|Metric|Technology|Terminology|Universal Profile}}
 
{{LE|Charted Space|Metric|Technology|Terminology|Universal Profile}}
 
{{LEN|Universal Profiles}}
 
{{LEN|Universal Profiles}}

Revision as of 11:34, 12 October 2020

Technical Data.jpg

Technology is the ability to use tools to make other tools. [1] Technology Level, or Tech Level and commonly abbreviated TL, is a measure of technological capability and sophistication. Technology Level is a rating of several interconnected ideas regarding the understanding and use of technology by a species, population, or government.

The Technology level index varies on a scale from 0 to 33, based upon current understanding of the physical laws of the universe. Most worlds in the Third Imperium have a TL between 7 and 12, with a maximum of 15 and a few rated at 16. The other major races have a similar ratings for worlds within their sphere of influence. Worlds outside of the major empires have somewhat lower TLs, though with some known interesting exceptions.

The TL assigned as part of the Universal World Profile is the Common or Base TL, characterizing the level of technology commonly available on the world. [2] This is the level encountered near the starport and in most urban areas. [3]

Overview

Technology Levels
TL Approximate Era or key development
0 Primitive Stone Age
1 Bronze and Iron Ages
2 Age of Sail
3 Industrial Revolution
4 Mechanization
5 Mass production
6 Nuclear Power,
7 Electronics
8 Superconductors
9 Fusion Power, Gravitics
10 First Jump Drives
11 Fusion+, Imperial maximum year 0
12 Sophisticated Robots
13 Holographics, Imperial maximum year 550
14 Geneering, Imperial maximum year 900
15 Anagathics, Imperial maximum year 1105
16 Global Terraforming, Darrian maximum
17 Hop Drive, Antimatter power
18 Disruptor and Disintegrator weapons
19 Limited Matter Transport
20 Skip Drives
21+ Beyond current technology extrapolation.

Technology Level measures the degree of technological expertise, and thus the capabilities of local industry to manufacture and repair or maintain items. [4] It serves as an overall economic indicator of the society to produce goods. [5]

A Technology Level is roughly an order of magnitude increase in capability across the three measures of technology: labor enhancement, quality improvement, and achievement of impossibilities. [6] Worlds (societies, cultures, civilizations, stellar federations, interstellar empires) are classified by their available technology. Each is evaluated on the available technology and assigned a Technology Level, indicating the common capabilities of the world in the creation of and use of technology. [7]

While many technologies have the capacity to bring great prosperity and economic wealth to planet, technology also has the capacity to be tremendously disruptive of local cultures, societies, and peoples.

Technology Level determination

A world which has developed an independent technology maintains its common tech level for the majority of its territory. Some regions (typically near the starport) may have slightly higher tech levels based on the availability of imported goods.

The Tech Level for an interstellar society is based on the TLs of its significant worlds. Determinations are made for defined regions (usually a subsector). If the interstellar society is larger than a subsector, it is divided into subsector-sized regions, with higher tech subsectors dominating their lower tech subsector neighbors. The TL of the subsector is determined by the highest TL for an Industrial World within the subsector. This TL governs the construction of the military and naval forces of the society. The highest generally available TL within a society equals the highest TL for its most important world.

Technological advancement

Technological advancement is a process of development of a new level of technological achievement beyond that currently possessed. As such, it is an uncertain process: spending and research may bring critical breakthroughs quickly, or prolonged efforts and continued funding may fail utterly to achieve the desired results. In addition to the costs and time necessary to develop such technology, a certain level of automation is required indicated by minimum infrastructure and population requirements. [8]

Technological uplifting is the process of raising a world's Tech Level by the transfer of technical knowledge from another world with a higher Tech Level. Naturally, this limits uplifting to the current maximum available Tech Level. Technological uplifting is not a function of developing new technology. It involves developing or modifying a world's existing infrastructure, political climate, cultural norms, etc. to incorporate the existing technology of another world. Such uplifting must consider not only construction of the new technology but also education on its usage and provisions for maintenance and repair. Since the research and development necessary to develop the level of technological achievement has already occurred, the adoption of this technology on subsequent worlds will be much cheaper, and more easily attained. [8]

Accelerating Tech Levels

Technology beyond TL–21 borders on or achieves the fantastic: it not routinely available to lower tech levels, and it harnesses capabilities only dreamed of by lesser technologies. [9] Levels above 21 are the Accelerating Tech Levels, each of them tends to be of shorter duration and each leads at an ever-accelerating pace to the next. The technologies addressed by TLs above 21 are frighteningly powerful and exceptionally susceptible to disaster. As a society progresses to each new Accelerating Tech Level, the focus shifts to a different technology. [10]

Technological Singularity

The endpoint in the TL scale achieves tools that are self-replicating, self-improving, and panscient. Societies reaching the technological singularity choose, or have chosen for them, consequences of their continued technological advancement. Some societies moves beyond technology advancing to metaphysical pursuits which transcend a physical existence, while others retreat returning to earlier levels and begin their process of advancement again.

Technological Profiles

The default Technology scale describes a general advancement of technology. However, few cultures follow the exact pattern of technical achievement in theoretical science implied by the standard TL system. [11] The Technological Profile divides the Technology Level a number of areas (known as Area Tech Level or ATL), each assigned an individual level index.

Technology is spread across a range of Technology Levels. Although the majority of goods on a world reflect its Tech Level, there may be higher TL goods (experimental models, prototypes, or early versions) or there may be lower TL goods (advanced or improved versions of older or more mature technology).

The ATL at a higher level than the base TL indicates the culture has more theoretical knowledge than it is willing or capable of implementing in practical technology. There may well have been recent breakthroughs in the area, but goods, where available are likely to be expensive or unreliable.

Where the ATL is lower than the common TL indicates development in the area has been retarded in that area. This may be a failure of local research and development or the population simply prefers off-world products.

For a detailed description of each of the Area Technologies and their associated development please see the Tech Level Comparison Chart.

Technological Periods

On a very broad level, Imperial historians have divided contemporary and future history into technological epochs and periods. This chronological periodization also projects where future technological trends might be found as evidenced by Ancients technology and that of other Precursors.

The idea of Technological Periodization begins with the Technology Age, the period of time it takes for a society, a world, or an interstellar state, to advance from one technology level to another. Depending upon the starting point, nature of the society, and available resources this time may be a span of years to millennia. Historians both within the Imperium and across Charted Space gather and categorize these ages to facilitate the study and analysis of history.

The next level is the Technological Epoch, a sequence of tech levels to which a society has attached some cultural importance. The most widely used system assigns lech levels in groups of three, assigning a name to each for better historical relevance. There exist other epoch periodization schemes which 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.

The final level is the Technological Period, a much broader scale dividing the entire technological scale into three parts, each roughly covering 9 technological levels based upon the amount of energy the civilization is able to use. The first level is planetary scale, covering TLs 0 to 9, the second a stellar or interstellar scale, covering TLs 10 to around 18 to 20, and the third a galactic scale covering TLs 18 to 20 to the singularity.

These Technological Eras or Technological Eons (the terms are interchangeable), represent the complete cycle of a sophont civilization. The cycle of each period end with the technological singularity.

Technological Age (1 TL) → Technological Epoch (3 TLs) → Technological Period (9 TLs) → Technological Era/ Technological Eon → Post-Technological Period

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 using a detailed technology profile. Sophontologists use a combination of Epoch and technology profiles to describe sophont cultures. Historians use Epochs to compare societal advancements over history, though there is no broad agreement as to which Epochs are the standards.

Tech Levels 0 through 21

This TL table is a list of technological levels and short descriptions. The descriptions correlate TLs to periods in history or alternately, future technology.

Technological Level Table
TL Lvl Historical Era IC CE Remarks
TL 0-9
TL-0 Xlow Stone Age TBD TBD Found Tools, fire, mysticism, village, agriculture, etc.
1 Vlow Bronze Age TBD 3500 BC None
1.3 Vlow Iron Age TBD 1300 BC None
1.6 Vlow Medieval Age TBD 600 AD None
2 Vlow Age of Sail TBD 1500 AD None
3 Vlow Industrial Revolution TBD 1730 AD None
3.3 Vlow Napoleonic Era TBD 1800 AD None
3.6 Vlow Colonial Era TBD 1850 AD None
4 Low Mechanized Age TBD 1900 AD None
5 Low Broadcast Age TBD 1930 AD None
6 Low Atomic Age TBD 1940 AD None
7 Mlow Space Age TBD 1970 AD None
8 Mlow Information Age TBD 1990 AD None
9 Mlow Early Stellar Age / Fusion Age TBD 2050 AD None
TL 10-21
10 (A) High Early Stellar Age / Gravitic Age TBD 2120 AD None
11 (B) High Average Imperial 0 TBD None
12 (C) High Average Imperial 30 TBD None
13 (D) Vhigh Average Stellar / Geneering Age 600 TBD None
14 (E) Vhigh High Stellar 1000 TBD None
15 (F) Vhigh Imperial Maximum 1105 TBD None
16 (G) Xhigh Artificial Persons Age TBD TBD None
17 (H) Xhigh Personality Transfer Age 1902 TBD Republic of Regina
18 (J) Xhigh Exotics Age TBD TBD None
19 (K) Uhigh Matter Transport / Antimatter Age TBD TBD None
20 (L) Uhigh Skipdrive Age TBD TBD None
21 (M) Uhigh Stasis Age TBD TBD None

See also

Universal world profile

§ == ( Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information: ) == §

Please refer to the following AAB Library Data for more information:
Technology:

Charted Space Technological Spectrum:

References & Contributors (Sources)

Mergedisputed.gif This article has two or more sources with conflicting information. Because the conflict has not been resolved, all sources are linked to this article.
GURPS Traveller Notes: An array of notes regarding the similarities and differences between Traveller TL and GURPS TL can be found here: Technology Level/meta
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This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.
  1. ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 223.
  2. ↑ Jon F. Zeigler. First In (Steve Jackson Games, 1999), 108.
  3. ↑ Geir Lanesskog. World Builder's Handbook (Mongoose Publishing, 2023), 58.Joe Fugate, J. Andrew Keith, Gary L. Thomas. World Builder's Handbook (Digest Group Publications, 1989), 58.
  4. ↑ Marc Miller. Worlds and Adventures (Game Designers Workshop, 1977), 7-8.
  5. ↑ Frank Chadwick. "Integration with Traveller, Rule 73: Military Spending." Striker (1981): 38-38.
  6. ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 223.
  7. ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 224.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 David Burden. Pocket Empires (Imperium Games, 1997), 51.
  9. ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 236.
  10. ↑ Marc Miller, Robert Eaglestone, Don McKinney. Starships (Far Future Enterprises, 2019), 235.
  11. ↑ Jon F. Zeigler. First In (Steve Jackson Games, 1999), 108.
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