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Roko’s Basilisk: Read This Before Looking
What if simply hearing about an idea could trap you? In this gripping deep dive, we unpack Roko’s Basilisk—what it is, why it’s called “dangerous,” and how decision theory, information hazards, and real AI safety differ from memetic fear. Listen now to get clear tools that protect your attention before the hype takes hold.
Episode summary: What if simply hearing about an idea could feel like a trap? In this deep dive, we unpack Roko’s Basilisk—what it is, why people call it “dangerous,” and how decision theory, information hazards, and real AI safety differ from viral fear. You’ll leave with practical tools to evaluate big claims without losing your calm.
Key takeaways
• No mechanism, no mandate: if a claim lacks gears, aligned incentives, and an affordable path, it doesn’t bind your choices.
• Mechanisms wear price tags; cheaper cooperative strategies beat costly threat-based tactics.
• Use the three-question sanity filter: mechanism, non-fear incentives, cheaper alternative.
• The real risk here is memetic and psychological; practice information hygiene and time-box rumination.
Timestamps
1:10 – Content advisory and why this topic spreads
3:05 – Roko’s Basilisk explained in plain language
7:40 – Assumption Tower: the four premises tested
12:30 – Price‑Tag Test: compute, energy, and feasibility
17:20 – Sanity filter, coping tools, and real AI safety work
Related resources and links
• Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Decision Theory – https://plato.stanford.edu/
• Oxford FHI: Information Hazards – https://www.fhi.ox.ac.uk/
• Nature Reviews Neuroscience (synapse scale) – https://www.nature.com/nrn/
• International Energy Agency: Data Centers & AI – https://www.iea.org/
• NIST AI Risk Management Framework – https://www.nist.gov/ai
Call to action
Share this episode with a friend who’s heard the basilisk meme, drop your biggest question in the comments, and subscribe for the next practical AI safety deep dive.
Published on 10 hours ago