I don't like the use of the term "misfolding." Firstly, why overload a term when there's no reason to? Secondly, the analogy barely holds. Protein misfolding occurs by chance, as an "accident" of nature. Weight space programming is a targeted operation, with clear intent. It is not an accidental process.

Because prions are scary and they're trying to make it sound scary. No need for a complex theory when a simple one will do.