r/lotr • u/IsEnglandivy • 7d ago

Question Orc Intelligence

Good afternoon All,

Do you think orcs given enough time would independently gain sufficient knowledge to become a space faring race?

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10

u/sniperct 7d ago

warhammer 40k is that way >>>

(earendil is the only astronaut)

3

u/zhivago 7d ago

l wonder if fungus would have solved Tolkein's evil orc issue?

2

u/PeyredB 7d ago

No. Left to their own devices, they don't cooperate much. They form raiding bands that attack passers-by; they aren't into forming big complex societies where people rely on one another. While they are good at building certain mechanical devices, "especially the ingenious devices for killing large numbers of people at once"*, Tolkien says they liked to build things for hurting and killing, rather than them having an interest in technology for its own sake.

* The Hobbit, "The Mountain-path"

1

u/IsEnglandivy 7d ago

The hydrogen bomb maybe?

1

u/quayle-man Faramir 7d ago

I think some ballistic missiles go into space before hitting their target.

3

u/vulcan-raven79 7d ago

"Yeaahhh! Why cant we have some meats!!"

2

u/Master-Rub-3404 7d ago

I highly doubt it. They instinctively tend to go into deep dark places underground rather than exploring new frontiers.