is becoming a land based organism is a crucial part towards a civilization ?
dolphin and whale are smart af but they had no hand so they couldn't use tools, so they're stuck in hunter-gatherer stage
hypothetically if a species, let's say octopus suddenly become smart and capable of sophisticated tool making will they advanced beyond a hunter gatherer society ?
will earth ocean biome hinder them from becoming as advanced as us ?
can they become an agricultural society ?
can metal working possible without the existence of fire ?