Alarming Dark Forest Theory Explains Why We Cannot Contact Extraterrestrials – Bizarre Or Realistic Scenario?

We spend plenty of time watching the stars and listening to radio signals. We hope we can finally find evidence we are not alone in the Universe.

We eagerly await our first official contact with extraterrestrials, but nothing ever happens. Sometimes we learn an odd signal has been picked up in space and we get our hopes up again, only to be told later it was nothing more than a neutron star with a very large magnetic field, throwing off the bursts, or something similar.

Alarming Dark Forest Theory May Explain Why We Cannot Contact Extraterrestrials – Bizarre Or Realistic Scenario?

So, where are the aliens we want to hear from and possibly meet? If we assume, we are not the only intelligent species in the Universe, then they must be out there.

There are many theories why we haven’t heard from aliens yet. Some scientists say extraterrestrial civilizations may not be interested in contacting us because we are not intelligent enough to deal with alien species. Our lack of sophisticated technology may also be one reason why we cannot detect aliens. Another option is that extraterrestrials may exist in forms we cannot conceive, meaning for example that some aliens may be invisible.

An alarming concept, known as the Dark Forest theory may cast some light on our lack of progress finding aliens. The Dark Forest theory originates from a science fiction book written by Liu Cixin. It can easily be applied to interactions between humanity and extraterrestrial life.

The plot of the book addresses vital questions what could happen when a civilization encounters potentially hostile alien life. In his book, Liu Cixin writes that all lifeforms struggle to stay alive.

According to the Dark Forest theory, the greatest problem for other living species is that real intentions of another lifeform are unknown. It’s impossible to known if the aliens you encounter can or will destroy you if they have opportunity to do so. To avoid this and ensure your own survival, the safest option for any species is to annihilate other life forms before they have a chance to do the same.

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In his book, Cixin writes: “The universe is a dark forest. Every civilization is an armed hunter stalking through the trees like a ghost, gently pushing aside branches that block the path and trying to tread without sound. Even breathing is done with care.

The hunter has to be careful, because everywhere in the forest are stealthy hunters like him. If he finds another life—another hunter, angel, or a demon, a delicate infant to tottering old man, a fairy or demigod—there’s only one thing he can do: open fire and eliminate them.”

It’s a gloomy thought really – kill or be killed. Contact with other alien species may be dangerous and result in the annihilation of your own race. So, this could be the reason why aliens deliberately hide and do not respond to our radio signals.

Alarming Dark Forest Theory May Explain Why We Cannot Contact Extraterrestrials – Bizarre Or Realistic Scenario?

Whether this theory is plausible or not is a matter of opinion. There could be extremely advanced extraterrestrial civilizations out there and they wouldn’t fear us because they know their technological capabilities are superior compared to what humans have achieved so far.

In a seminal paper published in 1964 in the Journal of Soviet Astronomy, Russian astrophysicist Nicolai Kardashev theorized that advanced civilizations must therefore be grouped according to three types: Type I, II, and III, which have mastered planetary, stellar and galactic forms of energy, respectively. It seems unlikely that the Dark Forest theory is relevant when discussing highly advanced extraterrestrial civilizations.

On the other hand, there could also be many alien civilizations that are similar to us and they could be frightened and avoid contact fearing us. Looking back at our history, who can blame them. We are still engaging in wars. Why shouldn’t they be attacked too?

Basically, the Dark Forest theory explains tha aliens are purposely hiding in the darkness of space for fear of death. This is the reason why we haven’t received a response to our radio signals. Is the Dark Forest theory bizarre or a realistic scenario?

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