Part 7/9:
These galactic empires, however, aren't immune to the passage of time. Over millennia, trade routes might deteriorate, resources might become depleted, cultural connections may wane, leading distant external colonies to evolve independently. The result of this isolation could lead to new civilizations emerging, drifting apart genetically and culturally, rendering them less inclined to unify under a common rule.
What Lies Ahead for Humanity?
Perhaps Earth is an isolated island amidst a sea of diverse civilizations, waiting for its moment of connection. In the current cosmic backwater, we might simply be too remote to be detected. It leads to the sobering realization that there could be thriving civilizations at distances too vast for us to reach or communicate with.