A more pessimistic and aggressive theory is the "Dark Forest" hypothesis, inspired by a science fiction novel. This concept posits that the universe is a dangerous, predatory environment where any civilization that announces its presence instantly becomes a target for destruction by others, driven by the fear that any unknown species could eventually become an existential threat. In this hostile universe, the optimal survival strategy for all intelligent life is to remain completely silent and undetectable—to hide in the "dark forest." Any effort to find or contact other species would be an act of dangerous cosmic folly.
