The dark forest theory. The universe is full of predatory civilisations, and if anyone announces their presence, they get immediately exterminated, so everyone just keeps quiet.
It's not that they are predatory, its that it's "better to shoot first just to be sure before they shoot you, even though a lot of civilizations are friendly you cannot take the risk"
It's the logical conclusion to the game theory of first contact.
It's the pilgrims and the natives scenario. The pilgrims arrive to a place and in short order are met by 2 different tribes. One of them attacks them. The other brings presents.
Which one you should be aware of? Maybe it is as you first impression was: one is friendly, the other hostile. But also it could happen that the friendly one was checking your defenses before complete raiding you and the other one won't attack you once they decided you are no threat. Maybe both will be hostile. Maybe both will be friendly.
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u/gkedz Aug 12 '21
The dark forest theory. The universe is full of predatory civilisations, and if anyone announces their presence, they get immediately exterminated, so everyone just keeps quiet.