Mulling the Fermi paradox and escape velocity-- the higher a species' home planet's escape velocity, the harder it is to get off the planet. I think there's an escape velocity which is so high that chemical rocket fuels just don't have enough energy.
I have no idea whether there's a plausible relationship between the likelihood of technological species and the escape velocity of their planet, except that I doubt that there'd be intelligent life on planets without atmosphere. Or am I being too parochial?
Thoughts about technological species and escape velocity?
Just found out: the "Realistic World Building" section of this article covers many of the topics you mention.
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.
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