Debating Scott Alexander: were warnings about apocalyptic cults historically justified?
JoshPurtell · x · 2026-10-02
Scott Alexander mocked alarm over 'apocalyptic cult'-style AI safety worries by analogy to reactions against early Christians. JoshPurtell pushes back: the Jewish fear of Jesus's apocalyptic cult was actually warranted — such movements led to destruction by Rome — so historical precedent doesn't support dismissing AI risk alarmists.
Related event: Debate Flares Over AI Doom Warnings and Historical Analogies(2 posts)→
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