The Three-Body Problem
First contact with an alien civilization and its devastating implications
"The universe is a dark forest."
— Cixin Liu
My Review
Liu's hard science fiction explores contact with alien civilizations through a lens of game theory and existential risk. The concept of 'dark forest' - that civilizations hide because detection means destruction - is a powerful model of competitive dynamics under existential stakes.
Why It Matters
Liu's dark forest theory is a model of competitive dynamics where detection leads to destruction - relevant to understanding existential competitive threats.
Key Ideas
- The universe may be hostile to revealed civilizations
- Technology can enable both cooperation and destruction
- Game theory applies to civilizational interactions
- Long time horizons change strategic calculus
How It Connects to This Framework
The competitive exclusion concepts in Book 3 and existential risk thinking.
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