Hypothetical evolution: cephalopods as the dominant form of life

In My Humble Opinion
21

No, technology based on chemical manipulation of biological systems, structues built using precipitates of carbonate salts and organic (carbon chain) molecules, and communications via electrochemical or optical mediums rather than wires and radio frequency transmission. Advanced technologies, such as moderated nuclear reactions, mechanically augmented propulsion, computation, et cetera are conceivable in an aquatic medium, albeit with differences which present both challenges (reaction rates, limits to direct long range communication range) and advantages (thermal stability, protection from radiation, readily available ionizable electrolyte and solvent). Our paricular solution for industrial society (using metals, radio communication, air-breathing combustuin heat engines) is but a small subset of potential paths to advanced technology realizable by an intelligent species.

Stranger

22

I think one problem cephalopods have is their very short lifespans. They only live a couple years. I should think it’d be hard to develop much of a culture if just about the time you learned everything you should know, you died.

23

Some live as long as four or five years, and females typically die shortly after the brood hatches. The reason why they don’t have longer lifespans or hatch multiple broods nobody knows but it is certainly a limitation to development, as is the lack of social behaviors in octopus species.

Stranger

24

This threads sounds like that brain-teaser game that Amy and Sheldon played.