They are marine which makes fire impossible which severely limits industrial advancement. Similarly they are not social animals which negates a lot of the division of labour advantages of a society. While a species of octopus might advance intellectually to ponder its own existence I doubt it could achieve the infrastructure necessary to significantly control its environment.

[–] MutilationWave@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Don't forget that they only live 1-2 years. 3 tops. I think this is even more limiting than fire. And if evolutionary pressure leads to longer lifespans somehow, they must overcome the whole dying after mating thing.

[–] seven_phone@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

True, also they do not raise offspring which means zero communication of non-instinctive knowledge between generations.

[–] Lightcrater@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

They could use the underwater volcanoes to smeltle the meltle though, thought of that? Checkmate.

[–] seven_phone@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

We have terrestrial volcanoes, how far would human civilisation advanced if they were our only source of fire.