Rococo Basilisk

 

Roko´s basilisk is a silly thought experiment which apparently mind-fucked members of the "Rationalist" on-line community. I don´t know who they are and little motivation finding out. Some kind of autistic tech nerds spinning the usual blend of libertarianism, transhumanism, NRx and other quite irrational bunk? 

Roko´s basilisk is obviously inspired by an idea found in certain forms of Christianity. If you never heard the Gospel, you will be saved since not hearing the message wasn´t your fault. However, if you *have* heard the Gospel and reject it, you will go to Hell. In other words, hearing the Gospel might actually *endager* your soul - a rather absurd and paradoxical situation (which logically should make Christians stop all their missionary activity). Roko´s basilisk is *exactly* the same idea but with God replaced by an intelligent machine. Another confirmation that certain atheists are simply constructing a simulacrum of Christianity or theism-in-general. The bizarre ideas about retro-causation are presumably inspired by God´s omnipotence and the fact that He stands outside of Time itself, which perhaps leads to various paradoxes.  

And then there are the Zizians...

The Zizians are supposedly an off-shoot of the Rationalist subculture, although it´s difficult to see any obvious connection. They are allegedly a cult preying on vulnerable trans-people, and may be responsible for at least four murders. Apparently, the Zizians claim they can save people from Roko´s basilisk?! 

Oookay...

I admit that I completely missed this particular cult/cultic milieu. But yes, I´ve heard of Roko´s basilisk before. Of course, I´m not terribly impressed by these Silicon Valley-adjacent counter-cultures. Still, it´s interesting that some of the biggest pro-AI crazies may be busy actually developing, well, AI. Which makes the entire basilisk scenario a kind of strange self-fulfilling prophecy. Until the real God (or just lack of good ol´ electricity) puts an end to this silliness once and for all! 

I have spoken.