Today, Explained The Zizian "death cult"
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Mar 6, 2025 Max Read, a journalist and owner of the ReadMax newsletter, dives into the chilling world of the Zizians, a cult born from Silicon Valley's Rationalist movement. They discuss the group's radical ideologies, particularly their controversial views on morality and AI safety. The conversation unpacks the cult's descent into violence, including a fatal incident involving a Border Patrol agent. Read also highlights the psychological manipulation by their leader, Ziz, and the modern anxieties propelling individuals toward extremist beliefs.
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Rationalism Overview
- Rationalism, a movement based in Silicon Valley, emphasizes developing reasoning skills for better outcomes.
- Rationalists engage in extensive online discussions, exploring logical chains even to absurd conclusions, and experiment with cognitive hacks.
Roko's Basilisk
- Roko's Basilisk, a rationalist thought experiment, posits a future superintelligence punishing those hindering its creation.
- This highlights the extreme thought experiments rationalists take seriously.
Ziz and the Rationalists
- Ziz, a trans woman computer programmer, joined the Bay Area rationalist community in 2016, interested in AI safety.
- Known for proposing a rationalist flotilla, she became involved with key rationalist organizations like MIRI and CFAR.