Was looking for this, had to scroll a long way to find it. The "dark forest" is a metaphor for growing up in an authoritarian regime. Paranoia and zero trust, b

Was looking for this, had to scroll a long way to find it. The "dark forest" is a metaphor for growing up in an authoritarian regime. Paranoia and zero trust, because crimes against the state are absolute, and you never know who is reporting on you. Then it mixes that with the US - China relationship mirroring first contact with the aliens. Not everything lines up 1 to 1, but all the themes are there. Amazing how many people take it at face value instead of looking for context.