“The history of every major galactic civilization tends to pass through three distinct and recognizable phases, those of survival, inquiry, and sophistication, otherwise known as the How, Why, and Where phases.”
— Douglas Adams
Simplified Meaning:
Every big group of people or society goes through three main stages as they grow and develop. First, they focus on just staying alive and dealing with basic needs, like finding food and staying safe. Next, they start to ask questions about their environment and existence, trying to understand why things happen. Finally, they reach a point where they can focus on creating art, culture, and advanced technology, making their lives more refined and sophisticated. For example, think about how humans evolved. In early times, people were just hunting and gathering to survive. Later, they began to question their surroundings, leading to discoveries and the development of agriculture and society. Today, modern civilizations create complex cultures, technologies, and arts. This idea suggests that, just like humans, any advanced society would follow a similar pathway of growth and development. By understanding this process, people can appreciate their progress and continue striving for a more advanced and enriched way of life.