The original version of the trusting trust attack assumes that the compiler it affects has source code known to the attacker, so it's only able to propagate itself through a particular compiler, or at best a certain list of them. In one sense this is necessary. It wouldn't be possible to insert the trojan into arbitrary compilers because even deciding whether a given program is a compiler is undecidable. However, that doesn't mean there aren't highly effective heuristics available. If you ask a modern LLM whether some source code you provide it is a compiler, it will almost certainly be able to tell you. That's an algorithm. All the cases that the uncomputability requires this algorithm fails in are ridiculous obfuscated compilers that would essentially never be used.
A sufficiently powerful AI would be capable of adapting the attack to arbitrary compilers, so by including such an AI into the trojan, it should be possible to design a much more future-proof version of the attack. I don't know whether AIs are there yet (this requires quite a high level of reliability with little to no opportunity for the AIs to test their code), but I wouldn't be too surprised if they are soon.
A fully AI-based quine-like program would tend to degrade over multiple iterations, as copying errors are introduced. However, I think it should be possible to separate the self-replicating part and the AI part such that this isn't too much of a problem. You can use the quine technique to write a function F which, given the source code of a compiler, asks an AI to insert a processing step into the compiler where it first runs F on the source code the compiler is compiling, then proceeds as it otherwise would have from the modified source, where the AI is given a precise copy of the code for F that it is asked to use.
This requires that you write F in a particular language, but almost all languages have some way to call foreign code, and the AI should be quite capable of figuring out the details of hooking up the fixed function F through the foreign function interface. You could even make F a pre-compiled binary and have the attack link a copy in to compilers it's attacking, but then that's not portable. For maximum portability, you probably need to write F in C, as it's usually the case that a computer being used for development in some other language will have a C compiler available for the attack to use. You could include a backup step though, where the AI is asked to use the exact code of F it is given, unless it can't find a C compiler, in which case it should attempt to re-write F in whatever language the compiler itself if written in (but this modified F should still provide its internal copy of the AI with the original F source code, not the modified code, to avoid accumulating errors).
Of course, actually implementing this attack would probably make the compiler so slow and large that the user may well notice something is wrong, and if the AI ever makes mistakes, the user could see erratic and suspicious compilation errors. Suppressing these errors requires that the attack modify affected compilers more extensively, and including a more capable AI to avoid making mistakes in the first place makes the affected compilers more expensive to run, making it easier to notice that way, so there are tradeoffs. If you offload the AI to some online API rather than running it locally (well, locally to your victims' computers), this would essentially eliminate the suspiciously large file sizes but it would require that the compiler has Internet access, and also you'd have to find a public AI which would not object to writing malware and which has a stable API, or else host the API yourself.
“The Life-Detective is all about Doing.”
Life-Detective Key Points: (or Warrior, New Noble, Jedi etc.)
Humble, unobtrusive.
Involved with their own doings.
Outside the system.
Not concerned with image.
Underestimated.
Shows teeth and asserts themself when needed, in no uncertain terms.
Pays exquisite attention .
Never assumes.
Checks and tests assumptions.
Asks questions.
Not afraid to be ignorant.
Doesn't let go of an anomaly, no matter how small.
Subtle without being obvious.
Adds trivialities and insignificances together to look for pattern and significance.
Pays close attention to Implications.
No pretensions about themselves.
Honest with themself and about themselves.
Doesn't give others regardless of status any unnecessary due.
Understands that character has nothing whatsoever to do with status and success.
(Everyone can be anything underneath.)
Always courteous and polite.
Doesn't flinch at moment of truth.
Watches intent and demeanour.
Is finely aware of balance.
Keeps very slight imbalance in others.
Runs through scenarios in boring excruciating detail to verify.
Takes whatever time and effort is necessary, neither are a consideration, only impeccability.
Understands the leverage of self-importance.
Sets tone and mood.
Inordinate patience, allows natural pace and rhythm .
Understands the psychology of others from their pov, like assumption of similarity etc.
Allows others to exercise their agendas.
Responds mainly.
Never makes points of ego or demonstration of self abilities.
Keeps power to self.
Always initiates and dictates interaction even though they doesn't do or say much, sets theme.
Communicates on the underlying grid where there is no bs.
Trust their own ability to put together the conclusions well before the facts present themselves.
Is able to accept a perspective regardless of how odd it may seem or how little there may be to support it, yet.
Believes in their intuition.
Believes in signs, anomalies, outside intervention/assistance etc.
Willing to gamble, experiment, take chances, when needed.
Whatever it takes.
The more interaction the more the actions and activities have to be extended, the easier it is to see pattern of improbability.
Uses Force of Circumstance.
And makes their own Circumstances to Force reaction.
I like to have a Conception of Being within which I can wrap Philosophical Strategies. In this case, the entire Trust mechanism, which is connected to Intent, which is connected to travelling on the Learning Path, which is all about figuring out our lessons. And for that we need to be a Life-Detective.
Most Important: The Life-Detective does not ignore or downplay the tiniest point of significance. The most minute fact that is indisputable in its consequences leads to changing everything. This change is fully respected, is fully adapted to, is taken fully into cognizance. And most importantly: those indisputable but unwanted or unpleasant facts are not ameliorated or ignored. They are not downplayed in any way. Everything is shifted to take the indisputable albeit Unpleasant Truth in account. This means setting aside desire or like or wish. It necessitates dissolution of extrapolated anticipation and potential positivity. It is imperative to be able to let go of goals when everything changes.
“Few people act. They refuse to believe what is happening until it is too late.”
This above point is an imperative one for us. We tend to soften the often harsh truths our discernments and insight present to us. We cannot to do this. We can still function Appropriately and expediently whilst maintaining those truths of accuracy. It may only be one, but that is all it takes. When it is undeniable we cannot write it off. We have to practice this skill. It is only habit. We have the awareness at the time, we simply do not use it it immediately. We wish to give the benefit of the doubt knowing full well the precise and indisputable truth. This we can no longer do. We need to live precisely. With exquisite accuracy.
This adjustment will make little difference to external behaviour. It will manifest in not engaging, in not going down what we know to be a dead-end. It will manifest in not wasting time and effort on doomed projects. It will enable an immediate responsiveness that is essential to Attunement and Alignment.
“The Life-Detective is all about Resolution. The key element for obtaining Resolution is Trust.”
We have to Trust. Without Trust what do we have on our marvellous Path? It is when we fully Trust that we a truly committed.. When there is nothing else but Trust, that is when belief becomes real, and is made manifest.
If we are engaging in an act of Trust, which is a necessity when traversing the Path of Life and Learning, we also have to be courageous. Trust is an act of Courage, otherwise it is an act of foolishness. We have to go into Trust with full Awareness, knowing that there is risk, but knowing that there is no alternative other than going back. And for those on the Quest to Freedom, there is no going back.
“The Life-Detective seeks to understand and unravel the mysteries encountered along the Life-path.”
So we get to situations where all we can do is Proceed with Trust. With Positive Trust. That Positive is built from Courage. And Courage is always going to be a bit uncomfortable. It has to be, since when Courage is involved, so is risk. That discomfort is what keeps us sharp, what keeps us alert, what heightens our Awareness and enhances our learning. Thus, discomfort is a most necessary ingredient for many reasons.
When we combine discomfort Courage and Trust we come close to Intent. And Intent is the key ingredient as we well know. We have used it many times. But the use has been somewhat haphazard. It can do with refining. We can add resolve, determination., perseverance, and forbearance. Ofc Impeccability, and scrupulousness of motive.
“For the Life-Detective any mystery is exciting to solve. The solving and resolving is the exciting part.”
Imperative to Intent, is vision, a vision of the most overall. Awareness of all involved, all the possibilities, positive and negative. Any Intent has to be Attuned and Aligned to that. And if it so happens that our Intent is a low probability we have to know this also. We have to know clearly and unequivocally that it is our only option, that there is no other, that we have been thorough. If there was another option we would have taken it. But since there isn't, we come back to our Intent, and the necessity for our Trust.
Once we have done all this, once we have set our Intent, all that's left is once again Trust. That is what Impeccability then requires. It is the only thing we can do to alleviate doubt. And doubt is ofc the stepping stone to fear and stress. It is the gateway to unravelling all the mighty efforts we have put into our Intent. Thus we cannot doubt. Not even for an iota of a micro-second. And if we cannot doubt, all that's left is to Trust. So we Trust with Courage, going into the unknown armed thus, knowing our discomfort is part of our Trust, and knowing that if we are Impeccable in our Trust, that is the key factor in determining the outcome of our venturing. We in the end have to Trust in Trust. It is all we have when we set an Intent.
“The Life-Detective never gives up, never quits, always proceeds, even if all that they have left to go on is Trust. Trust that things will work out.”
When we Trust like this, we Embrace Life, We Embrace Living. This Trust is the Trust of going forward, the Trust of Action, the Trust of movement, no matter how small. This is how it connects to Intent. To Intend, by it's very definition means to do, do be doing, to my moving, to be going forward. Those that are at a standstill, in their desperation will cling to the vain hopes of their wishes. It is merely appeasement. It is risk avoidance at it's most futile. It is not risking even the tiniest of chances for the security of nothing. And sadly, the supreme irony is that this is done out of fear of looking foolish for pursuing a small chance. When the very definition of foolishness is to give up a something for a nothing. No, this Trust is the trust of Action.
It is the Trust of positivity and optimism. For if we act, if we move forward, if we pursue that chance, no matter how slim, do we not have to have at least some optimism and positivity. How could we move forward if we did not? If we are moving forward into the unknown because we have no choice, it's that or nothing, then it is still a positive choice. We are choosing the unknown something over the definite nothing. That is Living, for Death is Nothing. Thus to Live is to Trust. To live is to be optimistic and positive, no matter how small. If we are going to have to do this, then why not embrace the process. Go into it willingly. Make the Most of It. That again is where Trust comes into it. It is a way to maximise our limited resources, to optimize our limited resources. This to me is why we Have to Trust.
“The Life-Detective is always Positive. Always.”
And then there is the Trust of Embracing our Responsibility. The Responsibility we have assumed for remaining alive. This we have chosen, knowing full well all what this choice entails. How can we not Trust this choice. If we do not, then the other choice is Death. Once we choose Life, we surely have to Trust our choice, take full responsibility for that choice. When we do, we once again embrace Life, embrace Living. We are Trusting our choices, we are Trusting that whatever circumstance we are in, no matter what, there is always something we can do. No matter how much things are out of our hands, we can always Trust out Intent. We can Trust that somehow they will work out for the best. The key to this Trust is to realize that Intent always is connected to the long-term overall. And it is to that we connect our Trust. Trust is thus enabling. But we have to have that resolve to Trust, which is a resolve to Live, which is a resolve to progress, to move forward. A resolve to DO, something, anything. It is a resolve to never give up and just sit and wait for life to do what it wills to us. That is not an option.
This is the magic of Trust. Even when it seems life has locked us into an unmovable position, this Trust is doing, an active action, an action of Intent. We are making something happen with this Trust, for this Trust is ultimately an Intent. Thus we will create via our Trust a resolution, an opening, something, that will allow for us to move away from whatever life brings our way. This is the difference between this Trust and hope. One is an action and the other is a wish. One is determination, the other is acceptance. This is the Trust of taking charge of our lives. Of deciding no matter what, we will find a way, even if that way is nothing but our Trust. And that is the thing with this Trust, why it is a Trust of Doing, of action, that we cannot know how or if it works until we use it, and for that we have to Trust. We have to Trust in Trust. But once we do, and do so repeatedly, we ofc come to see its Validity, it's magic. And when we do, we learn the confidence of Trust. We know, if we have exhausted all our higher probability options, we always have one option left in the bag, the Option of Trust. Repeated use of Trust will never alleviate the discomfort and necessity of Courage. It is an indispensable element of Trust, but repeated use will certainly alleviate that discomfort. Since if we have to use Trust again, it means that Trust worked the previous time. We must never forget that. That is how we come to fully Trust our Trust. Through never giving up. Through always trying, always trying even when all have have left to try is Trust.
“When a Life-Detective Trusts their Personal Power, no matter how small it may be, they are acting Impeccably.”
[All photographs by Elevia_Helen_iPhotography. With permission.]
