--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What does it mean for a civilisation to…" description: "\"What does it mean for a civilisation to be a million years old? We have had radio telescopes and spaceships for a few decades; our technical civilisati..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/carl-sagan-160_civilisation_what-does-it-mean-for-a-civilisation-to_2842753.jpg" --- # What does it mean for a civilisation to be a million years… ![“What does it mean for a civilisation to be a million years old? We have had radio telescopes and spaceships for a few decades; our technical civilisation is a few hundred years old ... an advanced civilisation millions of years old is as much beyond us as we are beyond a bushbaby or a macaque” quote by Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/carl-sagan-160_civilisation_what-does-it-mean-for-a-civilisation-to_2842753.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/carl-sagan-160_civilisation_what-does-it-mean-for-a-civilisation-to_2842753.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c64/carl-sagan-160_civilisation_what-does-it-mean-for-a-civilisation-to_2842753.jpg) > “What does it mean for a civilisation to be a million years old? We have had radio telescopes and spaceships for a few decades; our technical civilisation is a few hundred years old ... an advanced civilisation millions of years old is as much beyond us as we are beyond a bushbaby or a macaque” [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Civilizations that have existed for millions of years are incomprehensibly advanced compared to our few‑century‑old technological era. **In simple terms:** Old civilizations are far beyond us. Key Takeaway Consider humanity’s brief technological window. Themes cosmology future studies civilization longevity anthropology humility Mood wonder humble Type speculative philosophical When to use this quote - space exploration - long‑term planning - philosophical humility Key Concepts Fermi paradox technological singularity deep time Questions to Reflect On - What would a million‑year‑old civilization value? - How can we prepare for long‑term futures? A Different Perspective Our short perspective may limit understanding of deep time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advanced Civilisation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advanced-civilisation-3735258/) [Civilisation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilisation/) [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Decades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decades/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Evolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evolution/) [Hundred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hundred/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Mean Civilisation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean-civilisation-3735257/) [Million years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/million-years/) [Millions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/millions/) [Radio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radio/) [Spaceships](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spaceships/) [Technical Civilisation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technical-civilisation-3735259/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Telescopes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telescopes/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [After I give lectures-on almost any subject-I am often asked, "Do you believe in UFOs?" 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If a human disagrees with you, let him live. 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