HungryHippo comments on Open thread, July 29-August 4, 2013 - Less Wrong

3 Post author: David_Gerard 29 July 2013 10:26PM

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Comment author: Tenoke 31 July 2013 03:43:49PM *  6 points [-]

Memetic/Information Hazards - the term comes from here. Basically anything that makes you significantly worse off after you know it than before. Giving someone wrong instructions for how to build a bomb wouldn't count for example as I can just never build a bomb or just use other instructions etc.

Warning: Could be dangerous to look into it

Comment author: HungryHippo 31 July 2013 04:47:28PM 1 point [-]

Do you of anyone claiming to be in possession of such a fact?

Comment author: RichardKennaway 01 August 2013 11:48:48AM 3 points [-]

Eliezer is in possession of a fact that he considers to be highly dangerous to anyone who knows it, and who does not have sufficient understanding of exotic decision theory to avoid being vulnerable to it. This is the original basilisk that drew LessWrong's attention to the idea. Whether he is right is disputed (but the disputation cannot take place here).

In HPMOR, he has fictionally presented another basilisk: Harry cannot tell some other wizards, including Dumbledore, about the true Patronus spell, because that knowledge would render them incapable of casting the Patronus at all, leaving them vulnerable to having their minds eaten by Dementors.

Comment author: Tenoke 31 July 2013 05:05:12PM -1 points [-]

I know some basilisks, yes. Although, there is nothing I regard as actually dangerous. However, sharing things like this publicly is considered bad etiquette on LessWrong.

Comment author: pinyaka 02 August 2013 07:08:57PM 1 point [-]

If it's not dangerous, how does it constitute a hazard?

Comment author: MixedNuts 01 August 2013 09:58:35AM -1 points [-]

Can you send me yours? Please PM me here or on IRC. I already know the most famous one here.

Comment author: Rukifellth 31 July 2013 11:57:41PM *  0 points [-]

I tried to rot13 my previous discussion and was only mocked. The attitude towards basilisks seems to be one of glib reassurance.

Comment author: wedrifid 01 August 2013 06:14:05AM *  1 point [-]

I tried to rot13 my previous discussion and was only mocked. The attitude towards basilisks seems to be one of glib reassurance.

Not just glib reassurance. There is also the outright mockery of those who advocate taking (the known pseudo-examples of) them seriously.

Comment author: Rukifellth 01 August 2013 10:40:13AM 0 points [-]

I can't imagine that anyone is advocating taking them seriously.

Comment author: Rukifellth 31 July 2013 11:28:48PM 0 points [-]

I know one.

Also I think you're missing the word "know"