What would it take to turn an entire planet into a factory, a farm, or a fortress? In this episode, Jacob and Lucas explore the concept of dedicated planets—worlds that serve a single purpose within a vast interstellar civilization. From the toxic, molten surfaces of forge worlds that produce endless streams of metal, to the idyllic agri worlds that feed billions, we examine how these ideas from Star Wars, Warhammer 40K, and classic sci-fi might hold up under the laws of physics.

Could Mercury become a real forge world for humanity? Would a galactic empire ever rely on a single planet for its food supply? And why might specialized worlds make a civilization more vulnerable than powerful? Along the way, the discussion touches on energy limits, supply chains, planetary engineering, and the ethics of using entire populations as tools for empire.

We end by asking a bigger question—if a civilization reaches the scale of a galactic empire, does it make more sense to build in space than on planets at all?

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In this episode of Entropy Rising, Jacob and Lucas ask a simple question: could a galactic empire actually work without faster-than-light travel? The answer isn’t pretty. They break down why distance, communication delays, and logistics make ruling across the stars nearly impossible. From the futility of interstellar trade to the idea of technocratic influence and AI-controlled colonies, they explore how any attempt at a “galactic empire” would crumble under the speed of light itself. They also contrast this with solar empires—where power, control, and trade might still make sense within one star system.

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What happens when a city doesn’t just sprawl across continents but covers an entire planet? In this episode of Entropy Rising, Jacob and Lucas explore the concept of the ecumenopolis—a world completely urbanized from pole to pole. From the classic depictions of Coruscant in Star Wars and Trantor in Foundation, to the grim hive cities of Warhammer 40K, we dig into the science and engineering challenges of building a planet-wide metropolis.

We break down population math, vertical megastructures, the paradox of elevators, and the role of food, energy, and infrastructure in making such a world function. But the real constraint isn’t space or even energy—it’s heat. Could a quadrillion humans cook their own planet just by existing? And what would it take to keep a city-planet from overheating?

If you’ve ever wondered whether Earth could become one massive city—or what life would be like inside a two-mile-tall building where generations never leave—this episode is for you.

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