Roko’s Basilisk relies on the potential development of VR indistinguishable from reality, something entirely achievable from a technology standpoint (cottonbro studio / Public Domain)

Roko’s Basilisk: The Thought Experiment That Could Kill You

Generally speaking, thought experiments are not dangerous. As useful tools for “gaming” out a scenario, they could certainly point to a danger in the future, but they are not traditionally a problem for those who conduct them. Such an idea would, for much of human history, feel ludicrous. But we live in unusual times, and