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Dark Forest Computing Model

Applying Liu Cixin's Dark Forest theory to network security, suggesting computing environments should assume hostile rather than friendly community, reducing over-connection and over-trust.

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The commentary highlights a critical flaw in modern computing: an "over-connected" and "over-trusting" architecture that leaves digital infrastructure vulnerable to catastrophic, systemic failure. By adopting a "Dark Forest" mindset, security experts argue we must treat the network as a fundamentally hostile environment where every connection represents a potential risk rather than a community asset. This shift is echoed in speculative fiction like *Cyberpunk 2077*, which envisions a future where rogue AIs infest all technology, necessitating a complete rebuild of the web guarded by benevolent AI gatekeepers. Ultimately, these perspectives advocate for a transition away from open connectivity toward a model of guarded isolation to survive an increasingly predatory digital landscape.

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I must admit I'm rather enjoying this particular form of shit show, mostly because it was a predication I made in 2023 in the early days of LLMs. It wasn't really a problem related to LLMs but a glaring hole in the thinking of current computing which is the "frustratingly over-connected" and "over-trust" approach to everything. After reading Liu Cixin's "three body problem" and noting the Dark Forest, I applied that to risk vectors and came to the conclusion that our over-connected nature plus some form of acceleration plus some form of negative impact will fuck us big time. Turns out it did. Thus we should probably start treating our thinking model of computing as a Dark Forest, not a friendly community. That mitigates these risks to some degree.
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If you're into gaming, Cyberpunk 2077 essentially plays in a heavily technologized world, where all compute infrastructure is infested with rogue AI that replicates itself to any technology it can physically get in touch with. The only recourse is a new web, built from first principles, protected by (probably) benevolent AI systems. Every device, every server, is partially occupied by AIs doing their thing on it, virtually networked into a digital universe. I found that a fascinating thought.