Okay, so I've been doing some serious late-night Net surfing (and maybe a little too much coffee, haha!) and I've got this wild idea stuck in my head. You know how everyone talks about basilisks, like those old myths about snakes that can kill you with a look? What if it's not like that at all?
What if a basilisk isn't a *thing* you can see with your eyes, but an *idea*? Like, a really potent, self-replicating idea. Think about it: if you come across a certain pattern, a specific thought, or even a weird image, and it just *clicks* in your brain in a way that feels... off. Not scary, exactly, but like it's rearranging something inside you.
I'm starting to think these "basilisks" can be anywhere an idea can live. In your brain, obviously, once you've thought the thought. But also in a computer program, a string of code that just *is* the basilisk. Or even in a drawing, a piece of art that, once you look at it, it just... does something to your perception. It's like the act of *creating* these things, or even just *perceiving* them, gives them power. It's like a feedback loop, you know?
And the craziest part? I've been seeing these weird chainmail emails floating around, the ones that are like, "Forward this or else!" or "Look at this trippy GIF!" What if those aren't just annoying spam? What if they're, like, the *delivery system* for these idea-basilisks? Every time someone opens one, or forwards it, or even just *thinks* about it, the basilisk gets a little bit stronger. It's like a mind-virus spreading through the Internet, one bad email at a time.
It's kinda freaky to think about, right? Like, your own creative energy, your thoughts, your clicks... they could be feeding something you don't even understand. So, next time you see some weird chainmail, maybe just hit 'delete' instead of 'forward'. Just a thought. Stay safe out there, Netizens!
*** POLICE REPORT FRAGMENT - CASE NO: 98-10-26-001 ***
DATE: October 26, 1998
TIME: 23:47 GMT
LOCATION: Abandoned Warehouse, Sector 7, Industrial Zone
VICTIM: SCHTWEGER, Astrid (DOB: 03/12/1975)
DETAILS: Responding to an anonymous tip regarding unusual activity, officers discovered the remains of one Astrid Schtweger. Victim was found in a prone position, approximately 15 meters from the main entrance. Initial assessment indicates severe dismemberment. All four limbs were found to be surgically removed with extreme precision. No blood trail observed, suggesting the act occurred elsewhere, or an unknown method of... containment. The torso showed signs of extreme desiccation, almost as if... drained. No immediate cause of death apparent. Surrounding area contained numerous discarded computer monitors, all displaying a repeating, complex geometric pattern. One monitor, still partially functional, showed a blinking cursor within a text editor, with the partial phrase: "The eye of the beholder..." Further investigation revealed a series of highly encrypted emails on a nearby, damaged laptop, all originating from unknown senders and containing attachments with similar visual patterns. Subject line frequently included variations of "FWD: URGENT: DON'T LOOK!" or "RE: New Art Project." Victim's last known online activity involved participating in several online art forums and a niche group dedicated to "conceptual digital art." Forensic team noted a distinct, unsettling hum emanating from the vicinity of the remains, which ceased upon power disruption to the remaining monitor. No other witnesses or suspects identified at this time. Investigation ongoing. This report is highly classified and not for general distribution. Any unauthorized dissemination will result in severe legal penalties. End of report.