Big Think The Fermi Paradox has a potentially terrifying answer: The Dark Forest | David Kipping
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Aug 8, 2025 
David Kipping, an Associate Professor of Astronomy at Columbia University, dives into the eerie implications of the Dark Forest Hypothesis. He discusses why intelligent civilizations might remain silent, suggesting they could live in fear of revealing their existence. Kipping examines the risks associated with sending messages to the cosmos and the psychology behind extraterrestrial communication. He also highlights humanity's past attempts, like the Pioneer Plaque, to engage with potential alien life while considering the delicate balance of cosmic visibility.
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SETI’s Listening-Only Paradox
- SETI listens widely for extraterrestrial signals.
- We broadcast almost nothing compared to the billions invested in listening.
Dark Forest Hypothesis Summarized
- The Dark Forest suggests civilizations hide to avoid predatory neighbors.
- Stephen Hawking and The Three-Body Problem popularized caution about broadcasting.
Techno-Signatures Make Hiding Hard
- Civilizations can reveal themselves via satellites, solar panels, and atmospheric pollutants.
- David Kipping argues we don't need radio to be detectable.
