Perhaps psychedelics can be both a cure and a catalyst for basilisks. On one hand they can open the mind to new thoughts that crowd out the basilisk. On the other hand this openess can make one more vulnerable to other basilisks.
Maybe a strong ego could be a decent protective measure, but as algorithms become more targeted, we’ll all be at risk. A personalized basilisk for everyone, fused at the hip with the ego through an endless barrage of reinforcement.
Traditional organized religions or other shared belief systems that invite all regardless of conflicting perspectives might help? But we’re losing those at an accelerated rate. Aside from polishing a mirror shield, maybe our best defense would be redirecting algorithmic reality tunnels so that they lead to an intersection of beliefs.
Some burgeoning digital basilisks:
- Doomerism/climate doomerism
-self diagnosing and psychosomatic illness(tik tok Tourette’s , mental illness as an identity)
-astrology(benign, for now)
-FIRE/grind set/hustle culture (could be freeing for some, but imposes limiting beliefs equating wealth with enlightenment )
I may be creating a basilisk by saying this but wouldn't there evolve a basilisk which dooms those who hold mirror shields?
If I, the amateur analyst, who exposes and directs the basilisk's gaze back towards itself encounter a memetic hazard about analyzing itself, then the polishing is useless.
So I guess the true armor is to Know Thyself and as with all true cures it is the most painful. But I wonder in the case of self knowledge and basilisks, would it prevent me from wandering into the caverns in which these creatures lay? Or would my utter lack of self doubt and brilliant intuition simply not allow the gaze tho effect me?
Perhaps psychedelics can be both a cure and a catalyst for basilisks. On one hand they can open the mind to new thoughts that crowd out the basilisk. On the other hand this openess can make one more vulnerable to other basilisks.
Maybe a strong ego could be a decent protective measure, but as algorithms become more targeted, we’ll all be at risk. A personalized basilisk for everyone, fused at the hip with the ego through an endless barrage of reinforcement.
Traditional organized religions or other shared belief systems that invite all regardless of conflicting perspectives might help? But we’re losing those at an accelerated rate. Aside from polishing a mirror shield, maybe our best defense would be redirecting algorithmic reality tunnels so that they lead to an intersection of beliefs.
Some burgeoning digital basilisks:
- Doomerism/climate doomerism
-self diagnosing and psychosomatic illness(tik tok Tourette’s , mental illness as an identity)
-astrology(benign, for now)
-FIRE/grind set/hustle culture (could be freeing for some, but imposes limiting beliefs equating wealth with enlightenment )
Listen to the Tao Te Ching every once in a while. Lol
I may be creating a basilisk by saying this but wouldn't there evolve a basilisk which dooms those who hold mirror shields?
If I, the amateur analyst, who exposes and directs the basilisk's gaze back towards itself encounter a memetic hazard about analyzing itself, then the polishing is useless.
So I guess the true armor is to Know Thyself and as with all true cures it is the most painful. But I wonder in the case of self knowledge and basilisks, would it prevent me from wandering into the caverns in which these creatures lay? Or would my utter lack of self doubt and brilliant intuition simply not allow the gaze tho effect me?
Great article!