A Guide to the Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet

The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet is a mysterious and often frightening place, where online predators lurk and unsuspecting users can fall prey.

The concept of the Dark Forest was first introduced by science fiction author Liu Cixin in his award-winning novel "The Three-Body Problem", where it refers to the universe as a vast, dark, and hostile place where any civilization that makes itself known will be attacked and destroyed.

Online, the Dark Forest takes many forms, including phishing scams and malware attacks that can compromise sensitive information and financial data.

These threats are often spread through social media and email, where hackers can easily masquerade as trusted sources and trick users into revealing their personal information.

Consider reading: Online Diary

The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet was born out of a 2019 essay called "The Dark Forest Theory of the Internet", which I wrote about why I no longer felt comfortable being myself online.

A fresh viewpoint: Dark Forest Internet

This essay went viral among writers, and in 2023, I reached out to the authors of a dozen pieces written in the years since to collaborate on a living canon of the idea.

I proposed an economic structure that would allow us to share the costs and profits of the project equally.

Here's a breakdown of how the costs and profits would be split:

Each author set would receive around $1,500 if the initial run of books sold out, according to my projections.

The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet has made a significant impact since its release on February 22, 2024.

The book has sold out its initial run of 777 editions on Metalabel within 72 hours of its announcement.

The Dark Forest Collective has a strong following, with over 1,700 collectors of the book.

The book's gross volume is $66,000.

The Dark Forest Collective will release a second book, titled "The Dark Forest Anthology of the Internet" by Nadia Asparahouva, next week.

Beyond our comfort zones, there's a vast online landscape waiting to be explored. The internet can be a daunting place, especially when we feel like we don't fit in or are worried about being judged.

Many of us struggle to be ourselves online, and it's no wonder: the pressure to present a perfect image can be overwhelming. But as one person found, making a commitment to be real and authentic online can have a profound impact.

For one week, this person tweeted twice a day, sharing their thoughts on everyday topics like child-rearing, grocery shopping, and basketball. The results were more trivial than revolutionary, but that was the point: they were getting practice at being themselves.

The internet can be a breeding ground for fake accounts and propaganda, as seen in Russia's GRU-directed operations to create fake social media accounts and spread divisive messages.

But what if we all made a commitment to be our true selves online, just like that person did? What kind of influence would we have, and who would fill the vacuum if we failed to do so?

Recommended read: Extremely Online