[Liberal Classic]

Verging into science fiction here, the Ringworld is a half-way step before the construction of a Dyson sphere. Instead of a sphere, a ring is built which circles a star. The advantages are that it requires significantly less mass, it can spin to simulate artificial gravity, and spacecraft don't need to launch from the surface, they can be slingshotted off the rim. An interesting mental excercise, such as this article, but highly speculative.

[RightWhale]

Looking at aesthetics rather than science. Niven was somewhat annoyed when he learned that Ringworld might be unstable. It's round planets for us, that and hollowed out asteroids.

[Poohbah]

Verging into science fiction here, the Ringworld is a half-way step before the construction of a Dyson sphere. Instead of a sphere, a ring is built which circles a star. The advantages are that it requires significantly less mass, it can spin to simulate artificial gravity, and spacecraft don't need to launch from the surface, they can be slingshotted off the rim. An interesting mental excercise, such as this article, but highly speculative.

Someone pointed out that if there was a Kardashev Type II civilization out there, we'd notice. Imagine thirty gazillion cell phones, radio stations, wireless networks, et cetera, running full blast.

It would be like sitting next to Radio Raheem on the subway--you couldn't help but notice.