Defense against basilisks

Raxmei · Post by **Raxmei** » 2002-12-14 05:26pm

For basic information on basilisks, here's the comp.basilisk FAQ

Now, how would you protect people against these things? The file alludes to some basic safety measures, such as banning the posting of image files and classifying how basilisks work. That is clearly not enough for complete safety. The mentioned urban terrorists could cause a lot of damage by spraypainting the Parrot on a few billboards. A physical defense is possible but also unpleasant. Wearing blurry goggles would drop your visual resolution to the point that you can't make out the basilisk. Unfortunately that also means you can't see much else. You'd need some interesting social protocols if you want security and the ability to do useful work. Expect a lot of miner's canaries.

I have a few thought on how a government can stop basilisks, but they all involve massive oppression. I'd be interested in hearing other thoughts.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2002-12-14 05:38pm

This is why I am glad I root for the Netherese, who have spells that can reflect such attacks and allow them to see without hinderance.

Exonerate · Post by **Exonerate** » 2002-12-14 05:57pm

Whoa... This stuff is beyond dangerous...

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-12-14 06:01pm

Exonerate wrote:Whoa... This stuff is beyond dangerous...

I actually think it's funny. It's similar to Monty Python's sketch on the funniest joke in the world.

Exonerate · Post by **Exonerate** » 2002-12-14 06:04pm

Somebody should mail one to Saddam...

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2002-12-14 06:09pm

Are these things real?

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-12-14 06:10pm

Einhander Sn0m4n wrote:Are these things real?

No, of course not. They were created by a sci-fi writer. Look at the links to the article, if you don't believe me.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2002-12-14 06:12pm

Hey, Exonerate, see ya got my quote in there.

/OT

Anyway, that's a little bizarre. Is it supposed to be humor?

Raxmei · Post by **Raxmei** » 2002-12-14 06:19pm

I found the short story that Dave Langford wrote about it. BLIT

Seeing as how it's science fiction, I posted this in the sci-fi forum.

Exonerate · Post by **Exonerate** » 2002-12-14 06:26pm

Hmm, I'm not sure... Possibly real...

Exonerate · Post by **Exonerate** » 2002-12-14 06:27pm

Ahh... So there's no real basis for this?

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-12-14 06:54pm

Exonerate wrote:Ahh... So there's no real basis for this?

No. It's simply a science fiction short story.

Exonerate · Post by **Exonerate** » 2002-12-14 07:41pm

Gah,

I got all worked up over this...

Raxmei · Post by **Raxmei** » 2002-12-14 07:46pm

Exonerate wrote:Gah, I got all worked up over this...

Excellent. You must have come up with some brilliant solutions while you were worrying. What did you think of?

XaLEv · Post by **XaLEv** » 2002-12-14 07:47pm

Hmmm...I bet psychotropic drugs could help.

Raxmei · Post by **Raxmei** » 2002-12-14 08:39pm

XaLEv wrote:Hmmm...I bet psychotropic drugs could help.

They are known to help in some cases. In BLIT, the terrorists self-medicated with alcohol after accidental partial exposures. It obliterated the scraps of the images from memory so that cumulative exposure couldn't make them reassemble.

Depending on how fast basilisks work, drugs might be effective against even acute exposures. Nonetheless, I think there's a risk of brain damage. Even if the basilisk fails to cause permanent harm, the large dose of mind-altering chemicals probably will.