I seldom post here and occasionally lurk, but recently found myself spiraling about the infamous Rokko's Basilisk. I was compelled to make an alt account, given that this might invite ridicule or other jesting I don't care for. This is not a troll. This is to say, it has caused me such an enormous amount of dread that I find myself unable to sleep some nights. Indeed, such an experience is not at all pleasant.
The purpose of this post is not to argue for or against its validity, as it has been extensively addressed, but to inquire about individuals' opinions and personal methods of not letting this consume them, so to speak. I am curious if the latest developments in AI have changed how plausible people view this outcome.
Some particularly notable sticking points for me are that, as ASI becomes more plausible, so does Bostrom's simulation hypothesis. If we live in a simulation, one is compelled to ask about its origins and the possibility that, as Rokko's thought experiment suggests, an ASI is testing us as part of a broader blackmail scheme. It is this uncertainty about whether we live in a "base" reality that might compel someone to take part in order to avoid eternal punishment. Yet it is impossible to discern this agent's intent; perhaps it will punish you for failing to reject this blackmail attempt. One seems to be left in a state of existential paralysis.
This is a broader question of what the demands of this agent are, who they apply to, and so forth. Today, it seems that the efforts towards AGI & ASI are primarily driven by a small, outsized minority, and there is little effect the average person can have. What ought a "regular" person to do who has been blackmailed but cannot fulfill the blackmailer's demands? Are ALL people with knowledge of the Basilisk equally responsible or subject to the same judgment?
Any feedback or guidance is appreciated. This is certainly not an attempt to generate steelman's or anything of the sort, just curious how others who may have struggled with something similar (or are otherwise completely unconvinced!) managed to get over it.
I seldom post here and occasionally lurk, but recently found myself spiraling about the infamous Rokko's Basilisk. I was compelled to make an alt account, given that this might invite ridicule or other jesting I don't care for. This is not a troll. This is to say, it has caused me such an enormous amount of dread that I find myself unable to sleep some nights. Indeed, such an experience is not at all pleasant.
The purpose of this post is not to argue for or against its validity, as it has been extensively addressed, but to inquire about individuals' opinions and personal methods of not letting this consume them, so to speak. I am curious if the latest developments in AI have changed how plausible people view this outcome.
Some particularly notable sticking points for me are that, as ASI becomes more plausible, so does Bostrom's simulation hypothesis. If we live in a simulation, one is compelled to ask about its origins and the possibility that, as Rokko's thought experiment suggests, an ASI is testing us as part of a broader blackmail scheme. It is this uncertainty about whether we live in a "base" reality that might compel someone to take part in order to avoid eternal punishment. Yet it is impossible to discern this agent's intent; perhaps it will punish you for failing to reject this blackmail attempt. One seems to be left in a state of existential paralysis.
This is a broader question of what the demands of this agent are, who they apply to, and so forth. Today, it seems that the efforts towards AGI & ASI are primarily driven by a small, outsized minority, and there is little effect the average person can have. What ought a "regular" person to do who has been blackmailed but cannot fulfill the blackmailer's demands? Are ALL people with knowledge of the Basilisk equally responsible or subject to the same judgment?
Any feedback or guidance is appreciated. This is certainly not an attempt to generate steelman's or anything of the sort, just curious how others who may have struggled with something similar (or are otherwise completely unconvinced!) managed to get over it.