Comment by nosuchthing

It's a type of cognitive bias not much different than an addict or indoctrinated cult follower. A subset of them might actually genuinely fear Roko's basilisk the exact same way colonial religion leveraged the fear of eternal damnation in hell as a reason to be subservient to the church leaders.

hyperstitions from TESCREAL https://www.dair-institute.org/tescreal/