  Observational indications combined with analyses of analogue and emergent
gravity in condensed matter systems support the possibility that there might be
two distinct energy scales related to quantum gravity: the scale that sets the
onset of quantum gravitational effects $E_B$ (related to the Planck scale) and
the much higher scale $E_L$ signalling the breaking of Lorentz symmetry. We
suggest a natural interpretation for these two scales: $E_L$ is the energy
scale below which a special relativistic spacetime emerges, $E_B$ is the scale
below which this spacetime geometry becomes curved. This implies that the first
`quantum' gravitational effect around $E_B$ could simply be that gravity is
progressively switched off, leaving an effective Minkowski quantum field theory
up to much higher energies of the order of $E_L$. This scenario may have
important consequences for gravitational collapse, inasmuch as it opens up new
possibilities for the final state of stellar collapse other than an evaporating
black hole.
