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Niirah t1_iufvqrm wrote

Reply to comment by retsot in ELI5 Are there any practical alternative fuel sources that alien civilizations might have if they weren't lucky enough to have oil and trees? by retsot

Wood is not the only flammable material. And if we assume a carbon-based life form, it would be difficult to imagine them developing in an environment void of plant life.

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retsot OP t1_iufxfs0 wrote

I agree, but even in our own history there was life before trees and I guess that's more of what I'm concerned. Other things are flammable but without substantial things like coal and wood they simply wouldn't really be able to make fires hot enough to be able to forge anything stronger than like...bronze? I guess that's also needing to consider atmospheric content and stuff. Sorry if it feels like I'm arguing with you, I'm absolutely not trying to, I just don't have people that like this sort of thing that are willing to or are knowledgeable enough to talk about it

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