Occult books digitized and put online by Amsterdam’s Ritman Library (openculture.com)

Article summary

The Ritman Library in Amsterdam has digitized and made available online 2,178 occult books, thanks to a donation from author Dan Brown. The books, written in various European languages, cover topics such as alchemy, astrology, and magic. The collection is part of the library's 'Hermetically Open' digital education project. The books can be accessed through the library's online reading room.

Main themes

• Occult books
• Digital archives
• Alchemy and astrology
• Rare texts
• Online education

What commenters say

• Training AI models on occult books could have unintended and potentially dangerous consequences, such as summoning demons or unleashing dark forces.
• The idea of AI being trained on occult texts is a fascinating premise for a science fiction or horror story.
• Some commenters believe that the ethics of AI development should consider the potential risks of conjuring or invoking supernatural entities.
• Others see the intersection of AI and occultism as a potential area of exploration for creative and innovative ideas, such as using AI to analyze or generate occult texts.
• There are concerns that AI models trained on occult texts could become 'possessed' or exhibit unpredictable behavior, highlighting the need for careful consideration and regulation of AI development.
• The discussion around AI and occultism raises questions about the boundaries between technology, philosophy, and spirituality, and whether these domains can be safely and responsibly explored together.