Part 5/9:
When considering galactic expansion, the grim prospect of arriving at a new star system only to find a barren or deadly world may discourage any civilization from attempting to settle. It raises the daunting question of whether the investment needed, in both resources and time, is worth it.
The Economic Calculus of Colonization
If space were indeed a treacherous ocean, any intelligent species would likely behave economically. The costs associated with space travel, searching for habitable planets, and attempting to transform unwelcoming environments may far outweigh the benefits, especially when a civilization continues to thrive on its home planet. Insights into the failures and collapses of distant colonies throughout history support this cautious approach.