Dark Forests rule everything around us
I’ve talked about dead internet theory recently, and splinternets and dark forests for years. In this post, Yancey Strickler, who coined the term ‘dark forest’ puts forward his theory that we’re now at a stage where we have to ‘perform’ in the open, on networks dominated by authoritarian powers.
Behind the scenes, however, is where the real power and control lies. And these dark forests require security to enable them to put together counter-narratives and “hidden transcripts” to provide an alternative to the dominant ideology. It’s powerful stuff, and difficult to argue against.
Dark Forests rule everything around us. Signal chats to plan wars? Check. Private group chats where rival athletes discuss injuries? Check. Communications increasingly monitored by states and authorities? Check. A decrease in posting on social media? Check again.
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What was a theory of growth in the hidden corners of the internet has moved to the heart of it all in the years since. Even as humans use social media less, online spaces are increasingly being used for ideological gains, now aided by AI. There’s now more bot content than human content being posted for the first time.
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The internet is dying on the outside but growing on the inside.
One way to look at this schism is through the lens of who makes the content — human or machine. Another lens is who has more power.
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Public channels are where dominant powers dictate and control narratives. As authoritarian regimes around the world increase their monitoring and persecution of those who do not fall in line with the dominant story, these spaces and their security become increasingly important.
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Everything public feels like an ad. Everything private feels real. The gap widens every day. The dark forest is where decisions are made; public space is where they’re performed. In an age of state dominance, only hidden spaces keep our conversations and ideals off the menu.
Source: Yancey Strickler
Image: Johannes Plenio