Given how well astrophysicists understand the evolution of stars, I wonder if anyone has counted white dwarfs to see if there’s the expected number? It might be lower if there’s a lot of life out there.

So maybe we don’t need to try to spot a Type II exocivilisation directly, with our big telescopes. Instead we could detect their presence statistically.

What do you think Reddit co-founder Aaron Swartz would say about this if he were still alive?

Because of this article I went ahead and ordered some Intelligentsia Black Cat instant espresso to hopefully make some quick iced lattes this summer. Vanilla for Amanda, iced mint mojito from Philz for me.