“Where is everybody?” This simple question by physicist Enrico Fermi in 1950, has perplexed scientists, philosophers, and stargazers for decades. Known as Fermi’s Paradox, its is really a puzzling contradiction. Given the vast age and size of the universe, with its hundreds of billions of galaxies each containing hundreds of billions of stars, the probability of extraterrestrial life seems high. 

Among the many proposed answers to this cosmic riddle, one particularly devious theory has captured the imagination of many: the “Dark Forest” hypothesis. Popularized by Chinese science fiction author Cixin Liu in his novel “The Dark Forest,” it presents a grim view of cosmic sociology.

In the book, the character Luo Ji outlines three reasons why we don’t encounter life in the universe. This forms the basis of the Dark Forest theory:

• Survival is the primary need of all civilizations. When faced with a choice between their own existence and that of another civilization, any rational being would choose self-preservation.
• Civilizations continuously grow and expand, but the total matter in the universe remains constant. There would be inevitable conflict over resources, as expanding civilizations will eventually encounter each other in a universe with finite materials.
• Chains of suspicion and the risk of rapid technological advancement create an environment of extreme mistrust between civilizations. Even if a civilization appears peaceful, there’s no guarantee they won’t become a threat in the future, leading to a “strike first” mentality.

These principles, when combined, paint a picture of a universe where civilizations must remain hidden to survive, ready to destroy any other life they encounter before they themselves are discovered and eliminated. It’s a cosmic version of “kill or be killed,” where the only winning move is to stay silent and strike first.

But here’s where things get interesting: this bleak view of galactic social relations isn’t just about aliens – it’s a projection of our own fears when dealing with people here on earth. 

The idea that survival is the primary need of all civilizations echoes in international relations, where national security often trumps all other concerns. The concept of continuous growth bumping up against limited resources? That’s a central issue in our global economy and environmental challenges. And the chains of suspicion leading to pre-emptive aggression? We’ve seen that pattern repeat throughout human history, from colonial expansions to modern-day conflicts.

In essence, the Dark Forest theory holds up a mirror to our society, reflecting our fears, our competitive instincts, and our struggles with trust and cooperation on both a personal and a global scale. Our view of potential galactic social relations seems to be deeply influenced by how we perceive our own social dynamics here on Earth, one that is built on mistrust and fear.

But is this bleak outlook the only way to see things? 

What if we view ourselves and our potential cosmic neighbors as inherently good rather than inherently destructive? Here a very different picture emerges. In the book of Genesis, we read that God looked at His creation and declared it “very good” (Genesis 1:31). This paints a picture of a universe designed for life and harmony, not fear and destruction. The Psalmist writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). Perhaps we live in cosmos that is designed to reflect its Creator’s nature – one of beauty, order, and goodness, rather than chaos and fear.

Instead of a dark forest full of predators, could we imagine a vast, diverse ecosystem where different life forms can coexist and even collaborate. This doesn’t ignore the reality of conflict, but focuses on the potential for understanding and mutual benefit.

We can see echoes of this more optimistic view in human affairs as well. Despite our conflicts, we’ve achieved remarkable feats of international cooperation. The International Space Station, global scientific collaborations, worldwide humanitarian efforts – all these demonstrate our capacity to work together across cultural and national boundaries.

Our perspective on these matters – whether we’re looking at our own world or the cosmos – often comes down to a fundamental question: Do we see ourselves, and by extension all conscious beings, as inherently good or inherently evil? The answer shapes not just how we interact with each other, but how we might one day interact with extraterrestrial intelligence, that is, if we ever encounter it.

When searching the skies for signs of other life, it’s worth considering what our expectations and fears say about us. Are we projecting our worst traits onto the cosmos, or can we imagine a universe that brings out the best in us? The way we answer might not just shape our future cosmic encounters – it might also influence how we treat each other right here on Earth

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Written by Joshua George