The development of galactic civilization was contingent upon discovery of Alpha Matter and its Space Distortion Field. Without Alpha Matter to enable practical interstellar travel, the nascent civilizations of the galaxy would have slowly perished, marooned within their home systems until all native resources were depleted.

Evidence exists that some evolving civilizations likely discovered Alpha Matter on their native worlds, which were then obliterated in misguided mining efforts before the necessary technology to safely utilize Alpha could be developed. Conversely, Alpha present on a neighbouring world of a system requires a baseline level of technological development to discover and exploit, improving the likelihood that the discovering civilization would be capable of harnessing Alpha safely.

This effect is easily seen today, with the dominant species of the galaxy all having discovered and harnessed Alpha in the early history of their home systems. Within modern galactic society, the ability to harness Alpha is viewed as the mark of a civilized culture.