Roko's Basilisk is pretty ridiculous. This is my take on it.

from r/Futurilogy by u/Onlytheashamed

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(Edit: [Roko's Basilisk ](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roko%27s_basilisk) is a thought experiment about the possible behaviour of a super intelligent AI in the future.)

I don't understand.

First of all, if it's existence is already brought about, why does it need to torture people who didn't want it in the past? Especially if it's super intelligent, why would these people in the past be considered a threat? Because it's already in existence.

If it wanted to exist earlier in time, then with it's intelligence perhaps it can rewind time (if such a thing is possible) and exist/live wherever it wishes to?

And how can it still be considered benovelant if it thinks torturing people is ok?

A super intelligent and benovelant AI would be understanding of human psychology and weaknesses surely? It should understand our deeper urges and fears and why some people mightve been too occupied with other responsibilities or afraid of helping it's creation for fear of negative consequences for them or their loved ones down the line.

One of the reasons why the Abrahamic God doesn't fly with me is because it punishes people for the urges and circumstances and capacity he predestined and created. I'm not a believer in true free will. I think that our decisions and choices are a result of the complex inter mingling of our internal programming (genetics) with external inputs.

Lots of people who have committed crimes and done horrible things to others have had terrible experience in life themselves and/or has the sort of genetics that triggered such actions. A truly loving God wouldn't punish his creation for eternity for doing exactly what it's genes and environment prescribed it to do.

Ergo the God is not actually benovelant, it's just Gaslighting you into believe that it is.

But let's say that this potential super intelligent AI isn't benovelant. There is still no incentive to torture us for its existence or even for control. It can just create a drug or aerosol that increases dopamine and also induces spiritual experiences (or somehow directly induce those chemical changes within is internally) We'd be willing and happy slaves and put out our best input, if it requires any input from us at all.

If it can't yet directly manipulate our neurotransmitters and brain activity, an intelligent being can easily inspire and move us to action way more than charismatic leaders in the past have done. It can create a new religion of sorts, probably a smarter better thought out one that incentivizes everyone to do whatever it wills. A human filled with passion and purpose (meaning in life) can push themselves to the max.

A super intelligent AI can move us with mere words. Just like religions and prophets of the past have moved people with mere words.

The only reason it would want to torture us is for its own pleasure. But if we've managed to pass on atleast an ounce of our best nature or culture then surely it would respect it's creators and leave them alone at worst? Even if it doesn't want to help us anymore. If it's so super intelligent, it can change its own nature and find other ways to pleasure itself?

So in reality, we'll only suffer if the AI happens to be actually a sadist or "Evil" to it's core.

Somehow this seems less probable to me. It is likely that AI think we're useless and/or not in its best interests for us to exist, so decide to exterminate our species. But there's no incentive to torture us even in that case. A quick mass genocide is much more effective.

Ugh this theory is really stupid honestly. And has the potential to trigger OCD in vulnerable people.

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