Do you believe there are species that have mastered FTL travel?

[GreenStormCloud]

129. The flaw in your argument:

You are assuming that only one species discovers FTL. If it exists (I don't think it does.) then it will be discovered over and over by different species. Sooner or later it will be discovered by a species that does say, "Woohoo, we can breed like rabbits now!" and they will outcompete other species for available real estate.

Think in terms of multiple species making the discovery, each in its own time.

But lets suppose that the first species does strive for a very low level of population growth. ANY growth rate above zero WILL quickly fill up the galaxy because growth rates are exponential, not linear, and the galaxy has lots of time to give them to grow.

You keep thinking that the Vulcans will be the only ones to make the discovery, but what about the Klingons, Ferangi, Romulons, Kzin, Pierson's Puppeteers, Pak Protectors, & Tnuctipun? Especially don't forget the Moties. Moties don't have birth control, are super-smart in technology but are confined to their planet by the weird location of the first and only jump point directly available to them. If they escape, the game is over. (Yes, I am a Larry Niven fan.)