Niirah t1_iuftuv1 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:16 AM

Steam, solar, electrical, geothermal, wind… all of these power sources are practical and reliable.

retsot OP t1_iufua43 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:19 AM

They're practical for us because we have had wood products since the dawn of humanity, but how does a budding intelligent species use any of those without wood or petroleum? Unless I'm wrong, early humanity would not have been capable of using any of those without wood burning first. Maaaybe hydro?

Niirah t1_iufvqrm wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:31 AM

Wood is not the only flammable material. And if we assume a carbon-based life form, it would be difficult to imagine them developing in an environment void of plant life.

retsot OP t1_iufxfs0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 12:44 AM

I agree, but even in our own history there was life before trees and I guess that's more of what I'm concerned. Other things are flammable but without substantial things like coal and wood they simply wouldn't really be able to make fires hot enough to be able to forge anything stronger than like...bronze? I guess that's also needing to consider atmospheric content and stuff. Sorry if it feels like I'm arguing with you, I'm absolutely not trying to, I just don't have people that like this sort of thing that are willing to or are knowledgeable enough to talk about it