--- title: "NASA Sponsored Researcher Suggests It Might Be Possible to Change the Laws of Physics" description: "Astrophysics professor Adam Frank suggests civilizations could advance so much they could eventually be able to change the laws of physics." date: "2022-05-20" modified: "2022-05-20" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/researcher-possible-change-laws-physics" categories: - "NASA" - "Physics" - "Science & Energy" - "Space" tags: - "alien civilization" - "the digest" --- # NASA Sponsored Researcher Suggests It Might Be Possible to Change the Laws of Physics ![Astrophysics professor Adam Frank suggests civilizations could advance so much they could eventually be able to change the laws of physics.]() *\Image: Getty Images/Futurism\* ## Galaxy Brain In an extremely [cosmic-]()[brain]() take, University of Rochester astrophysics professor Adam Frank suggests that a civilization could advance so much that it could eventually tinker with the fundamental laws of physics. It's a mind-bending proposition that ventures far beyond the conventional framework of scientific understanding, a reminder that perhaps we should dare to think outside the box — especially as we continue our search for extraterrestrial civilizations. If a civilization were to be able to change the laws of physics, "the very nature of energy itself, with established rules like energy conservation, would be subject to revision within the scope of engineering," Frank, who is part of the NASA-sponsored Categorizing Atmospheric Technosignatures program, wrote in an [essay for *Big Think*](). ## Playing Games For instance, as astrophysicist Caleb Scharf argued in an eyebrow-raising [2016 article](), an alien civilization could conceivably be behind [dark matter](), the theoretical stuff that — as far as our current understanding of the universe is concerned — makes up the majority of mass in the universe. Frank takes the concept even further, suggesting advanced alien civilizations could "mix and match physical laws any way they see fit." It's all pretty far fetched, and the astrophysicist is the first to acknowledge that, pointing out that at this point it's primarily just "fun" to think about these things. Frank concludes that while controlling these laws may be pretty unlikely, it's far more likely that they put "severe limits on life and what it can do." So it's possible that "there simply is no way around the limits imposed by the speed of light," Frank concedes. But it's nice to dream. **READ MORE:** [Could an advanced civilization change the laws of physics?]() \[*Big Think*\] **More on the laws of physics:** *[Scientists Say the Laws of Physics May Be Changing]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()