dark forest

Dark forest refers to a hypothesis in science fiction and game theory suggesting that intelligent civilizations in the universe remain silent and hidden because revealing their existence invites destruction by other civilizations—like hunters moving through a dark forest where any sound draws fatal attention.

The concept, popularized by Liu Cixin's novel *The Dark Forest*, has spread to internet culture, where dark forest theory describes any environment where visibility brings danger: Social media has become a dark forest—best to stay anonymous.