This paper re-examines the widely used Kardashev Scale and asks a simple question: does measuring progress only through energy use really capture how advanced a civilization is? While the scale has been useful in astronomy and SETI research, its energy-centered approach overlooks other critical dimensions such as information processing, efficiency, and thermodynamic limits. In response, this work proposes a multidimensional framework that brings together three key factors: energy utilization (E), information processing capacity (I), and entropy production (S). Rather than focusing only on how much energy a civilization consumes, the framework emphasizes how effectively that energy is used and how much disorder or waste it generates. An original advancement function is introduced to describe this relationship, offering a more balanced way to think about technological growth. The paper also explores how these ideas can reshape SETI strategies by shifting attention toward quieter, more efficient civilizations that may not be easily detectable through traditional energy-based methods. Overall, the study argues for a transition from expansion-driven models of progress to optimization-driven ones, where sustainability, resilience, and efficiency play a central role in long-term survival.