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While that is a thorough article about the "Basilisk" Iguana, I'll bet most readers are more familiar with the monster that when looked at causes the person to

While that is a thorough article about the "Basilisk" Iguana, I'll bet most readers are more familiar with the monster that when looked at causes the person to die. That monster was originally a serpent[1], but has evolved in modern literature to any item; and alternatively to turn people into stone when being seen through a reflection, or cause death when an image of them is mentally constructed. I would assume that you can photograph these creatures and live, though they are actually pretty hard to see in real life due to their camouflage. Far less interesting, but far more friendly. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilisk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilisk

adrian_b 3y ago
As mentioned in that Wikipedia page, it is pretty much certain that the many ancient stories about African reptiles (for whom various names were used, including "basilisk"), which cause death to those gazing at them, were all based on the spitting cobras, which will spit venom in the eyes of those who harass them and who look at them, causing great pain and even sometimes blindness or death.
lloeki 3y ago
Just reading the name evokes vivid images of its Baldur's Gate incarnation in my mind: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Greater_Basilisk https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Greater_Basilisk https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Lesser_Basilisk https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Lesser_Basilisk It looks surprisingly similar to that woodblock print in the Wikipedia article
RobotToaster 3y ago
I thought it was going to be about information hazards like Roko's basilisk. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roko%27s_basilisk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roko%27s_basilisk
- DonHopkins 3y ago
  Roko's Basilisk is nonsense, and Roko Mijic is a racist sexist nut case. https://twitter.com/jachiam0/status/1651327867375218688 https://twitter.com/jachiam0/status/1651327867375218688 Just got sexually harassed by the Roko's Basilisk guy lol: https://www.reddit.com/r/SneerClub/comments/133t856/just_got_sexually_harassed_by_the_rokos_basilisk/ https://www.reddit.com/r/SneerClub/comments/133t856/just_got...
revolvingocelot 3y ago
>has evolved in modern literature to any item [which can] cause death when an image of them is mentally constructed The excellent and memorable science fiction short story BLIT [0], by David Langford, is what I think of. In the story, a mathematical process called the Berryman Logical Image Technique produces images that cause segfaults in the primary visual cortex when viewed, and thereby irrevocably crash human minds. I was introduced to the concept by the excellent The Laundry [2] series by Charles Stross ('cstross here on HN!), which features a dangerous fractal referred to as the Langford Death Parrot. [0] http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/blit.htm http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/blit.htm [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BLIT_(short_story) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BLIT_(short_story) [2] The Laundry is itself worth reading, being a ha-ha-only-serious examination of a fictional British occult secret service in a world where sufficiently advanced mathematics is indistinguishable from Lovecraftian magic, and the ever-increasing density of transistors on CPUs brings the world ever closer to CASE NIGHTMARE GREEN. The viewpoint character, for much of the series, is a sysadmin.

adrian_b 3y ago

As mentioned in that Wikipedia page, it is pretty much certain that the many ancient stories about African reptiles (for whom various names were used, including "basilisk"), which cause death to those gazing at them, were all based on the spitting cobras, which will spit venom in the eyes of those who harass them and who look at them, causing great pain and even sometimes blindness or death.

lloeki 3y ago

Just reading the name evokes vivid images of its Baldur's Gate incarnation in my mind: https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Greater_Basilisk https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Greater_Basilisk https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Lesser_Basilisk https://baldursgate.fandom.com/wiki/Lesser_Basilisk It looks surprisingly similar to that woodblock print in the Wikipedia article

RobotToaster 3y ago

I thought it was going to be about information hazards like Roko's basilisk. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roko%27s_basilisk https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roko%27s_basilisk

DonHopkins 3y ago
Roko's Basilisk is nonsense, and Roko Mijic is a racist sexist nut case. https://twitter.com/jachiam0/status/1651327867375218688 https://twitter.com/jachiam0/status/1651327867375218688 Just got sexually harassed by the Roko's Basilisk guy lol: https://www.reddit.com/r/SneerClub/comments/133t856/just_got_sexually_harassed_by_the_rokos_basilisk/ https://www.reddit.com/r/SneerClub/comments/133t856/just_got...

revolvingocelot 3y ago

>has evolved in modern literature to any item [which can] cause death when an image of them is mentally constructed The excellent and memorable science fiction short story BLIT [0], by David Langford, is what I think of. In the story, a mathematical process called the Berryman Logical Image Technique produces images that cause segfaults in the primary visual cortex when viewed, and thereby irrevocably crash human minds. I was introduced to the concept by the excellent The Laundry [2] series by Charles Stross ('cstross here on HN!), which features a dangerous fractal referred to as the Langford Death Parrot. [0] http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/blit.htm http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/stories/blit.htm [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BLIT_(short_story) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BLIT_(short_story) [2] The Laundry is itself worth reading, being a ha-ha-only-serious examination of a fictional British occult secret service in a world where sufficiently advanced mathematics is indistinguishable from Lovecraftian magic, and the ever-increasing density of transistors on CPUs brings the world ever closer to CASE NIGHTMARE GREEN. The viewpoint character, for much of the series, is a sysadmin.