Dark Forest vs Zoo hypothesis is a clean way to ask a hard question: if the galaxy is crowded, why is it quiet? Either everyone hides to survive (Dark Forest)—or we’re in a hands-off reserve (Zoo).

What is the Dark Forest idea?

It treats space like a dangerous forest. You stay quiet because you can’t know others’ motives, tech levels, or timelines. In game-theory terms: silence or pre-empt.

What is the Zoo Hypothesis?

Proposed by astronomer John A. Ball (1973), it suggests a “look, don’t touch” rule. We’re left alone until we mature—or ask the right way.