These are all under our current understanding of physics, which does a good job, but we know it's not the full picture. Matter, the stuff you and I are made of, is ~5% of the universe's mass-energy. We understand the physics of this stuff fairly well.
Dark Matter is, as far as we can tell, is entirely made of stuff that falls down and does nothing else. Dark Matter is ~25% of the universe. We have a fair few theories of what Dark Matter is, if/how we can use it, how to make it, move it, etc, but it's still very active research. We have a toehold on Dark Matter.
Dark Energy, which makes things fall up, is ~70% of the universe. We are almost completely stumped as to what it is and how it works beyond making the universe roomier. We're just totally knackered on Dark Energy.
Any civ that is thinking that seriously thinking about (let alone putting down-payments on) discombobulating planets in order to make more lawns to mow and gardens to weed is very likely to have more than a toehold on Dark Matter and is likely trying to make Dark Energy levitate tequila shots.
And that's just the physics that we know we're missing. K2 civs are probably far more aware of yet more dragons in the mists.
So, concluding (correctly) that since we don't see the IR heat of K2 planet demolitions, that we're alone, is not the best conclusion. We've not a clue as to what the rules of the universe are yet. We can talk about strategy once we learn how the knights and bishops move about the board.
Dark Matter is, as far as we can tell, is entirely made of stuff that falls down and does nothing else. Dark Matter is ~25% of the universe. We have a fair few theories of what Dark Matter is, if/how we can use it, how to make it, move it, etc, but it's still very active research. We have a toehold on Dark Matter.
Dark Energy, which makes things fall up, is ~70% of the universe. We are almost completely stumped as to what it is and how it works beyond making the universe roomier. We're just totally knackered on Dark Energy.
Any civ that is thinking that seriously thinking about (let alone putting down-payments on) discombobulating planets in order to make more lawns to mow and gardens to weed is very likely to have more than a toehold on Dark Matter and is likely trying to make Dark Energy levitate tequila shots.
And that's just the physics that we know we're missing. K2 civs are probably far more aware of yet more dragons in the mists.
So, concluding (correctly) that since we don't see the IR heat of K2 planet demolitions, that we're alone, is not the best conclusion. We've not a clue as to what the rules of the universe are yet. We can talk about strategy once we learn how the knights and bishops move about the board.