A review by koberreads
The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu

adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The Dark Forest is a massive and daunting hard science fiction novel that, in my experience, offers an unparalleled level of detail and scale (Most other reviewers felt the same way and I know they read more scifi than me). 

Side note:

I always thought Robert Greene (author of Laws of Human nature) is the smartest author regarding the encompassing and grand scale of humanity society but Cixin Liu toppled him. (And he Cixin Liu is a fiction writer while Robert Greene is nonfiction writer.)

I still love Robert Greene works. I simply added Cixin Liu as one of the authors I admire along side with Robert Greene and others.

SPOILER ALERT

The dark forest theory presented in the novel is the most convincing solution I've encountered.

What caught my attention the most is how grounded the science fiction feels (it felt like it can happen or is the true reality of the universe.), particularly regarding its solution to the Fermi paradox and the existence of alien life. The dark forest theory, where exposing oneself in the cosmos is akin to inviting annihilation (Sending signal outerspace regarding your existence/location is akin to soldiers calling artilery upon themselves.) is the most convincing explanation I've read. So far no other explanation for the fermi paradox can beat the Dark Forest Theory (at least the ones I read so far.)

It's a chilling concept reinforced by the scene where Luo Ji utilizes his “spell” on a nearby star system. After several years the result is a unknown lightspeed object pierces the star which result for the star to go supernova and obliterates the entire star system planets that are surrounding it, highlighting the ruthlessness of interstellar competition.

SPOILERT ALERT 

STOP SCROLLING

STOP SCROLLING

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

BE SPOILED TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT

Spoiler Discussion key Points

“Unable to decieve” Aliens (not completely though)

This is actually unexpected and beautiful explanation to them. I dont know no life form is truly complete or perfect. So in contrast that this civilization can restart itself after a chaotic era death and dehydrate itself at will. One’s thoughts and speech are the same. Good thing about this: Super advanced cooperation just like computer nodes. A hive mind is literally created. Bad side: Lacking on the knowledge on deceit or to hide one’s intentions. And also having the lack of ability to understand or see through the deceit of other civilizations. (But they did hide it using the sophons to make scientist think that physic is a chaotic discipline without any absolute laws which hindered the science development on Earth. Only fellow trisolarians can read other trisolarian thoughts. We humans cant even read your brain waves or neuron firings in your brain. Just dont tell everything. But I guess even Evans have to tell them that is okay not to tell them everything. Not telling is also small form of deceit or lying.

Wallfacers and wallbreakers

I dont think I read a concept like this in any other book. This is unique highlight and use of the humanity’s ability to deceive. No wonder that is also a deciding factor at the end of the book

The human mind’s ability to deceive can at times defeat a more technologically advance opponent.

THE UNREADABLE MIND OF HUMANITY is seems like a poor weapon against trisolarians actually is quite effective and succesful in the end

Luo Ji, a person you would truly not like if you met him in person because of his selfishness and hedonistic ways (if you give him almost unlimited cash, he would use it in getaway house and expensive wine. And might even ask you to find his perfect woman.

(he is not even smart or even a strategist) and truly you want to punch him in the face for being so self-centered through out the book, actually saves the whole humanity (temporarily with uneasy peace.) And I can see through all his wall facer plans except the last one though. I gotta give to him, he at least redeemed himself for all the shit he done at the end by making a good plan and making it actually work. (Partly because the mistakes as well the trisolarians in neglecting or letting the ETO die. If the ETO is here, they would see right through him.) 

A character has told Luo Ji directly that “You are the most self-absorbed person I ever met” And that is a joking insult that Luo Ji will call himself later in the book 

Now he would be more self-absorbed after his succesfull fufilmment of his final plan against Trisolarians because he is literally became most important person in humanity because if he dies all humanity literally dies. And that fact is more amplified knowing that another civilization (Trisolarians) will die with humanity if ever he does die.

It is how funny that cixin Liu made the most self-absorbed almost like Haruki Murakami character be the literally hero/messiah of Humanity.

It is fascinatingly funny for me but I have to forgive him though, because I wouldnt be able to do what he did if I became a wallfacer. Pretty good ending.

Summary of the whole book in one sentence: “There is always a bigger fish.”

Zhang (Chinese James Bond)

He is relentless

Even the Santi and ETO call him call and compentent

The signal/spell

At first I did not honestly understand what Luo Ji is saying

The Droplet

The most jaw dropping and horrifying scene regarding the power of technology over those with lower tech. And a highlight that humans beings because their great power for deceit can often indirectly deceive themselves into death, doom, and oblivion. The battle

of darkness is also equally horrifying but a great way to also explain the Dark Forest theory.

What is the fermi paradox? And how the dark forest theory the solution to that paradox?

Luo Ji explain this in the dark to Dashi while they smoke is one of creative ways to explain a scientific concepts

• The Fermi paradox is a thought experiment that highlights the apparent contradiction between the high probability of extraterrestrial life and the lack of evidence for it. Given the vast size and age of the universe, some scientists believe that it's likely that other civilizations have developed advanced technology. Yet, we haven't found any signs of intelligent life beyond Earth. This paradox has sparked numerous theories and discussions about why we haven't encountered aliens yet.

But how does the Dark Forest theory relate to this?

• Cixin Liu's dark forest theory offers a solution to the Fermi paradox. It suggests that alien civilizations remain quiet and avoid contact to hide from potential threats. According to the theory, the universe is a dangerous place, and any civilization that reveals itself risks being destroyed by others competing for limited resources. This explains why we haven't heard from aliens despite their possible existence.

The limites resources is the result life continually expanding? In the marvel films, the villian “Thanos” motivation on killing half of life in the universe so that there would be enough for the limited resources we have

• You're right! Both the dark forest theory and Thanos' motivation in the Marvel films touch on the idea of limited resources driving conflict. Here's how they differ:
• * Dark Forest Theory: This theory emphasizes the uncertainty and paranoia surrounding resource scarcity. Civilizations are assumed to be selfish and prioritize their own survival. They remain silent to avoid attracting attention from potential threats who might compete for the same resources.
• * Thanos' Motivation: Thanos takes a more direct approach to resource scarcity. He believes the universe has finite resources and population growth will inevitably lead to suffering. His solution is brutal but logical (from a twisted perspective) - culling half of all life to ensure enough resources for the survivors.
• Real World:
• * Whether resources are truly limited in the vast universe is a complex question. We're constantly discovering new resources and finding ways to utilize them more efficiently.
• * However, the concept of limited resources does play a role in real-world conflicts. Competition over water, land, and energy can create tensions between nations.
• Beyond Limited Resources:
• There could be other factors driving the lack of contact with aliens or the motivations of fictional villains.  These could include:
• * Vast distances and difficulty of interstellar travel: Traveling vast distances in space might be technologically impossible or simply impractical, hindering contact.
• * Different forms of life: Life as we know it might be extremely rare, and alien life could be so different that communication or even detection is impossible.
• Overall, the tension between life's potential for expansion and the limitations of resources is a fascinating theme explored in science fiction and real-world discussions.

——

Spoiler notes:

Luo Ji final gamble is for once I didnt see right through it. I felt just like the trisolarians

Damn.

Imaginary GF of Luo ji

A reviewer thought it was a bit unnecessary to focus so much on his imaginary GF and she says she cant find the reason why that was even brought up.

Well I thought that Luo Ji imaginary GF because it felt so realistic and surreal to me when I read it that, his imaginary GF is actually an alien from another dimension.

I thought he would use his imaginary GF as emotional and spiritual support while he is doing his wallfacer mission for centuries. (Since at the book it was told wallfacer cant seek emotional and spiritual support from another human because it would risk exposing ones plans to the Sophons. Look what happened to Hines, loving his wife so much. Even though his wife only partially revealed his plans.)

I truly felt both enchanted and terrified with his experience of falling in love with his imaginary GF

I almost had (or at the edge of falling in that bottemless beautiful abyss) falling in love with a character you made up

After reading I could imagine already a woman next to me. Always here hahaha damn

I am so taken back about that more than alien invading the earth hahaha

But sadly I was wrong and Da shi made his dream lover real and instead of being an imaginary emotional motivation for Luo ji it became a real wife and child he had to fight for so that he could see them again

Love that he did see them again later, but goddamn it would be so call if that imaginary GF is actually and alien from another dimension here to help.