Part 6/14:
The rationalist movement originated in the early 2000s with figures like Eliezer Yudkowsky, who founded forums such as LessWrong. These platforms promoted a philosophy emphasizing logical, evidence-based reasoning, often framed as a kind of secular religion. Inspired by a popular fan fiction, Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, the community attracted many young, intellectually curious individuals—many of whom felt socially alienated.
The movement’s core preoccupation was AI safety and the existential threats posed by superintelligent machines. Yudkowsky and his followers warned of “godlike AI,” a potential threat capable of enslaving or annihilating humanity. This alarmism became intertwined with the community’s identity, fostering a culture of urgency and sometimes paranoia.