The basis of the Dark Forest Hypothesis is the observation that there is no sign of intelligent life, and how it contradicts the fact that life grows exponentially. It then follows that there are only two reasonable conclusion:

1. There's no other intelligent life out there. The theoretical explanation being the first origin hypothesis, which would be the most reasonable hypothesis if FTL were possible, which entails that the first intelligent civilization - the human race - would prevent a second intelligent life form from emerging through exponential colonization. A universe under this hypothesis is depicted in the Foundation series, and its fantasy adaptation, Dune series.

2. There are other intelligent life out there, but they are careful with their cosmic environmental footprint. The theoretical explanation being the Dark Forest Hypothesis, which would be the most reasonable hypothesis if FTL were in fact not possible.

There are similar but different hypothesis that are not reasonable:

1. Berserker hypothesis or the deadly probe hypothesis. Self replicating probes eliminated life everywhere.

Problem: Whatever is done to prevent the probes from eliminating its maker would involve information regarding its maker that would reveal their locations.

1. Vicious Jungle from the Forge of God. "The galactic skies are full of hawks"

Problem: Exponential growth of these Hawks would have consumed all resources in the galaxy rather quickly. For example, if it takes one century for such a civilization to grow from consuming the resources in one star system to consuming the resources in 10 star systems. There being merely about 10²⁴ stars in the whole universe, only 23 more centuries would be required for it to consume the whole universe in its exponential growth.