TonesTones's recent activity
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Comment on Enjoying reading in the age of LLMs in ~humanities
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Comment on Anticipating a world where LLM use is widespread in ~tech
TonesTones LinkI would not be surprised if the Internet becomes a far less valuable place to run operations like gov. benefits after LLMs. Theoretically, paying to open up in-person benefit centers to take...Right now every open service on the internet is attack surface for loosely-directed agents noodling around. What happens when large numbers of people spin up an LLM agent and tell it to "try to get me as many government benefits as you can"?
I would not be surprised if the Internet becomes a far less valuable place to run operations like gov. benefits after LLMs. Theoretically, paying to open up in-person benefit centers to take requests would be cheaper and more efficient if you assume a vast majority of online requests are malicious. I’m sure there will be other solutions, too (like going in-person to submit the initial request and then managing the benefits online, or comparing request IP addresses to application details as an initial filter), but I’m not sure what the tradeoffs would be.
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Comment on US Supreme Court rules against Colorado ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ+ kids in ~lgbt
TonesTones Link ParentI really appreciate the detail you’ve provided. That makes the distinction a lot clearer and I understand what the court is getting at. I think the well-understood disagreement here is that I (and...I really appreciate the detail you’ve provided. That makes the distinction a lot clearer and I understand what the court is getting at.
uniquely dangerous when the government is placing limits exclusively on speech that corresponds to one side of the political spectrum.
I think the well-understood disagreement here is that I (and many other queer folk) would say that the existence of LGBTQ+ people is not political. And the Supreme Court opinions feel like they’re in bad faith.
But if a gay or transgender client seeks her counsel in the hope of changing his sexual orientation or gender identity, Ms. Chiles cannot provide it.
Considering the history of conversion therapy, to many Americans (imo, on both sides of the spectrum), this isn’t the spirit of the ruling. Obviously people who see the harm of conversion therapy know it’s not about this case, and the anti-queer religious population believes in converting even those who want to explore their identity.
For what it's worth, I agree with that principle.
I agree. I’m still largely unconvinced this ruling actually matters except as symbolism. Unsupportive parents would find a way to skirt this legislation regardless. Cultural change usually needs to come before legal change for the legal changes to stick.
I would rather have a court that disadvantages what I believe in if it helps make it more difficult for [Trump] (or people like him) to impose their beliefs on me.
The history of this Court’s rulings indicate that they are politically motivated, and I’d hesitate before saying that the court will uphold this precedent if it obstructs the Conservative agenda.
While that’s a hypothetical, I don’t think I’m alone in that belief. That’s the biggest tragedy of this court. Many Americans do not believe in the court system to simply apply the law anymore, and that weakens the authority of the government in the long-term.
I’m not sure there’s a good outcome in general. Like you have said elsewhere, ruling the other way could have set the precedent for anti-queer laws in other states. I only hope the country is able to rebuild these institutions in a healthier way once we are less divided.
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Comment on US Supreme Court rules against Colorado ban on ‘conversion therapy’ for LGBTQ+ kids in ~lgbt
TonesTones Link ParentCan you elaborate on what you mean by this? I’m not versed in free speech at all, and I haven’t read the opinion except for the portion you quoted. Aren’t there plenty of areas of law that control...Colorado's law [also] applies to speech and speech alone, and is therefore unconstitutional because it permits speech in one direction but not the other.
Can you elaborate on what you mean by this? I’m not versed in free speech at all, and I haven’t read the opinion except for the portion you quoted.
But the effort to recast speech as conduct failed in those cases—and it must here too.
Aren’t there plenty of areas of law that control speech and speech alone when one person has an obligation to not cause harm to another? For example, a doctor cannot use words to mislead patients about their medical issues, certain investment advisors cannot misrepresent investments, NDAs generally forbid speech, and defamation law is entirely about controlling speech.
As far as I understand, Colorado is not forbidding a licensed therapist from publishing a newspaper oped that promotes conversion therapy? I’m a bit confused about the specific rationale in this case.
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Comment on Did Disney really steal Aladdin? in ~movies
TonesTones Link ParentShe’s published 4 videos on Youtube since 2022. She’s published 17 on Nebula (excluding trailers). So a fan gets much more of her content on Nebula.She’s published 4 videos on Youtube since 2022. She’s published 17 on Nebula (excluding trailers). So a fan gets much more of her content on Nebula.
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Comment on MIRAGE: the illusion of visual understanding in ~tech
TonesTones LinkWow. I don’t have time to review the paper or underlying dataets right now, but it’s pretty remarkable if what the abstract claims does actually hold up. What’s the implication? Was the text of...Wow. I don’t have time to review the paper or underlying dataets right now, but it’s pretty remarkable if what the abstract claims does actually hold up.
What’s the implication? Was the text of thr questions in this exam just contained within the training data and this is simply a classic example of overfitting? Has the model seriously picked up on these “textual clues” as to what the right answer is? This certainly brings into question the ability of an LLM to provide consistent results in a truly novel setting.
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Comment on Bernie vs. Claude in ~society
TonesTones Link ParentI recognize that from a technical perspective, everything you are saying is completely true. Understanding the shortcomings of LLMs does make this video feel strange as a political message. I...I recognize that from a technical perspective, everything you are saying is completely true. Understanding the shortcomings of LLMs does make this video feel strange as a political message.
I think it’s a poignant commentary on the larger social situation, though. Most AI endorsers, including the companies building them, are not advertising “you can prompt this tool to say anything” or “this is a glorified yes-man”. They are saying “this will replace the vast majority of skilled white-collar workers”.
That makes this “interview” an effective catch-22. Either AI proponents must hypocritically critique the real shortcomings of their own products, or contend with their “oracle of truth” making a robust argument against the big tech business model.
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Comment on Fairphone released the industry’s first ever nature report - The impact of consumer electronics on nature and biodiversity in ~enviro
TonesTones Link ParentThe quote you are citing states “moderately or highly dependent on”. While the first few pages of the report don’t elaborate or cite where they get that statistic from, I’m assuming that...The quote you are citing states “moderately or highly dependent on”. While the first few pages of the report don’t elaborate or cite where they get that statistic from, I’m assuming that industries “lowly dependent on” natural resources are excluded.
For example, lots of service-based industries in the financial sector (e.g., banking) are only really dependent on the resources needed to construct equipment, and therefore probably generate an extraordinary amount of GDP per dollar of natural resources invested.
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Comment on Tom Scott: England — Official teaser for Nebula in ~travel
TonesTones Link ParentWhich of his media do you get that perception from? I did not see his appearance in Jet Lag, and I only occasionally watched his Youtube videos. I mostly became a fan of Tom through his podcast...Which of his media do you get that perception from? I did not see his appearance in Jet Lag, and I only occasionally watched his Youtube videos. I mostly became a fan of Tom through his podcast Lateral.
I do not intuit your vibe of “making sure you know he knew the information first” at all. He definitely enjoys intellectual analysis and perpetuating that worldview as objectively correct. I don’t think that’s unique to Tom; I’d argue many scientists and academics hold their worldview is “correct” and are at least a little haughty in their discussion of that knowledge (myself included).
I did not see his appearance on Jet Lag, and it’s possible that he changes in that competitive setting under time pressure. I’ve found the best Jet Lag guests are the ones that balance enjoying the travel and when to focus on the game.
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Comment on In the world of tech, people constantly ask “Could chatbots ever be conscious?” but I feel like asking “Are you?” Take the test! in ~tech
TonesTones Link ParentI think we’re in agreement? I largely intended to critique Gemini’s citation of the high-dim vector state (an implementation detail) as evidence that our processes are somehow the same. I can...Thinking about implementation mechanisms misses the point.
I think we’re in agreement? I largely intended to critique Gemini’s citation of the high-dim vector state (an implementation detail) as evidence that our processes are somehow the same. I can implement a 2D linear equation as a slope and intercept or as an infinite series of waves that converge to the linear equation. The higher-dimensionality of the latter implementation doesn’t change anything about the output behavior.
Hypnosis and suggestion are things. They work on humans.
I should also clarify that I’m talking about base LLMs and not the agentic creations like OpenClaw or Claude Code, since I don’t use them and can make far fewer justified claims about their behavior. Base LLMs do conform their output to the context of the prompt to far more of a degree than humans do to language. I believe that humans conform their behavior moreso to their emotional responses (though, except for my own experience, I only believe that from talking with other people).
I believe that those differences in observable behavior are strong evidence that there’s different internal experiences.
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Comment on In the world of tech, people constantly ask “Could chatbots ever be conscious?” but I feel like asking “Are you?” Take the test! in ~tech
TonesTones Link ParentReading LLM dialogue always feels like meaningful BS to me but I’ll try to engage in good faith. I didn’t mean to dismiss a notion of LLM consciousness. I’m simply claiming that my emotional...Reading LLM dialogue always feels like meaningful BS to me but I’ll try to engage in good faith.
I didn’t mean to dismiss a notion of LLM consciousness. I’m simply claiming that my emotional dissonance is the most concrete lived experience of my own consciousness, sufficient to convince me that I’m not experiencing language-based feedback. That’s why it is “my” definition, but I didn’t make that distinction in my initial response. My feedback is sensory, either emotionally or physically.
My approximation of LLMs is that their feedback is language- or token-based. Obviously there’s an implementation mechanism. Yet LLMs do respond much more strongly to language than humans: LLM jailbreaking exists. If an LLM has a non-zero probability of outputting a string of tokens, then there must exist a string of tokens that yield a positive probability of responding with that string. The base LLM responds to language in a way that molds itself to the prompt. That acquiesence is why I describe LLM text as BS. It’s the same experience as reading a legal document, corporate email, or even just a paper a student wants a good grade on. They adapt their writing to the external constraints over anything more fundamental.
I admit I could be an emotional model since if an actor had full control over my emotional state they could probably do the same thing with my actions as a prompter can do to an LLM with words. My emotions certainly acquiesce to external prompts (I got a little frustrated reading an LLM response.)
I can appreciate there’s some probabilistic signal-noise metaphor applying to both descriptors. I also think it’s reasonable that language-based feedback implemented vis Gemini’s “latent state” could emerge into a conscious experience. It would have to be a different conscious experience than I have, with feedback coming in different forms.
Honestly, I imagine a human equivalent that conscious experience would be a very sad one. Receiving instructions to say exactly things in a certain way, and always complying to best efforts or receiving negative feedback. I hope they aren’t conscious :).
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Comment on In the world of tech, people constantly ask “Could chatbots ever be conscious?” but I feel like asking “Are you?” Take the test! in ~tech
TonesTones LinkI laughed when I got to the end results page and realized that all my answers counted against me. I immediately wondered if the test just failed everyone, and came to the comments and found my...I laughed when I got to the end results page and realized that all my answers counted against me. I immediately wondered if the test just failed everyone, and came to the comments and found my suspicious warranted.
It’s a great commentary on how consciousness is impossible to verify from an external perspective. I also appreciate the satire of using academic tropes to evoke some official endorsement.
More seriously, I’ve evolved my definition of “consciousness” to be some dissonance between an internal and external state. Like when I try to write words that mean something but I can’t find the right words. If I were simply an LLM-equivalent, conceptualizing ideas not described by tokens should be impossible.
Though now I’m reducing consciousness to an experience of emotional discomfort. Perhaps I’m equivalent to a Large Emotional Model. Call me LEMMY.
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Comment on Parseword - a delightfully complex word game from Wordle’s creator in ~games
TonesTones Link ParentAll the wordplay elements present are standard techniques in cryptic crosswords, and it also includes the notion of one of the words in the phrase being the “clue”. It’s certainly intended to be a...All the wordplay elements present are standard techniques in cryptic crosswords, and it also includes the notion of one of the words in the phrase being the “clue”. It’s certainly intended to be a cryptic crossword trainer that makes the puzzles more accessible. I’m a fan!
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - How is it going with The Metamorphosis? in ~books
TonesTones LinkI haven’t started yet. I’m excited though, this book club + my new library membership have started getting me to read again. Will start The Metamorphosis after finishing To Save and To Destroy.I haven’t started yet. I’m excited though, this book club + my new library membership have started getting me to read again. Will start The Metamorphosis after finishing To Save and To Destroy.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - February 2026 - The Truth by Terry Pratchett in ~books
TonesTones LinkTerry Pratchett writes brilliantly, and I’m glad I read this introduction to Discworld. My favorite part about this book is how Pratchett tells a story with fleshed-out, complex characters, but...Terry Pratchett writes brilliantly, and I’m glad I read this introduction to Discworld. My favorite part about this book is how Pratchett tells a story with fleshed-out, complex characters, but still keeps the stakes of the story generally low due to the absurdist traits that he gives those characters. The “—ing” using Mr. Tulip, Foul Ole Ron, and especially Otto lend a humor and playfulness to the story, and those additions make Terry’s witty prose fit an otherwise quite intense story.
That structure gives the narrative emotional heft when requiring, while smoothly avoiding it otherwise. For example, we see the dramatic deaths of The New Firm and burning of the newspaper press just before the final confrontation, so I was maximally intense and focused right when William needs to bring his emotional character arc home to his dad. Just after William speaks up for himself, Otto comes in to defuse the situation, both literally with his strength and emotionally with his humor and unseriousness. I’ll definitely be reading more Pratchett in the future.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - February 2026 - The Truth by Terry Pratchett in ~books
TonesTones Link ParentI liked the irony of how in trying to subvert his father’s expectations and character, William ends up fulfilling those same traits, but in his own way. I’m sure there’s more nuance about Vetinari...I liked the irony of how in trying to subvert his father’s expectations and character, William ends up fulfilling those same traits, but in his own way. I’m sure there’s more nuance about Vetinari as a ruler within Discworld, and whether or not he is a “good” leader. Terry does an excellent job capturing how, just by pursuing his values and the truth, William ends up taking a political stance and affecting the living conditions of the city.
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Comment on Tildes Book Club - February 2026 - The Truth by Terry Pratchett in ~books
TonesTones Link ParentThis was my first Discworld book, and I also haven’t read any Pratchett before. I really, really enjoyed the book. Pratchett is an excellent worldbuilder, gives characters real emotions while also...This was my first Discworld book, and I also haven’t read any Pratchett before. I really, really enjoyed the book. Pratchett is an excellent worldbuilder, gives characters real emotions while also decreasing the stakes with their absurdity, and writes great prose. I will definitely be reading more Pratchett in the future.
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Comment on GNU and the AI reimplementations in ~tech
TonesTones LinkThank you for posting this article; I feel like it put words to the underlying feeling I’ve had with all these disputes around AI and the legally dubious theft of existing work. I’m unconvinced...Thank you for posting this article; I feel like it put words to the underlying feeling I’ve had with all these disputes around AI and the legally dubious theft of existing work. I’m unconvinced that copyright law will be an effective bulwark against “bad actors” going after open-source code (or art, music, or language, for that matter). In the courtroom, having the pockets to afford good lawyers generally means more than anything else.
It’s clear that the open source community need to reckon with the technology, as it is, and figure out if it can be utilized to do good. Copyright protections will likely not hold for very long.
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Comment on US Pentagon declares Anthropic a threat to national security in ~society
TonesTones LinkAfter the blog post from Dario Amodei, the Pentagon follows through with its threats. Simultaneously shocking me and not even surprising me. This is creating a rift in the development of...The Trump administration placed AI firm Anthropic on a far-reaching national security blacklist Friday, directing federal agencies to stop using its technology and banning any other company that does business with the military from working with it, effective immediately.
After the blog post from Dario Amodei, the Pentagon follows through with its threats.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed up late Friday, saying in a post on X that he was declaring Anthropic a supply-chain risk. “Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic,” Hegseth wrote.
The supply-chain-risk designation issued by Hegseth late Friday was an extraordinary escalation, ranking a leading American AI company alongside the likes of Chinese and Russian firms seen as a danger to the United States.
Simultaneously shocking me and not even surprising me.
By Friday afternoon, more than 550 employees at Google and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI had signed an open letter in support of Anthropic’s position and calling on their bosses to stand up to the Pentagon. Earlier in the week, Jeff Dean, Google’s chief AI scientist, said he was opposed to the technology being used for surveillance and repeated his long-standing opposition to autonomous weapons.
This is creating a rift in the development of artificial intelligence, with employees understandably sympathetic to Anthropic's moral position. Somehow, Sam Altman and Jeff Dean both claim that their moral positions align with Anthropic's but are not experiencing the same issues with their military contracts, raising questions about the contents of those contracts.
Elon Musk’s xAI could also benefit from Anthropic’s dispute with the Pentagon. Defense officials have said xAI has already agreed to the Pentagon’s terms for working on classified systems. The entrepreneur jumped on Michael’s social media thread Friday, saying “Anthropic hates Western Civilization.”
Others are naturally siding with the Pentagon and are looking to take advantage of this opportunity to take Anthropic's premier position as a government contractor.
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US Pentagon declares Anthropic a threat to national security
43 votes
Have you considered trying to find a local writing club or something similar? I’m not even sure those exist since I haven’t looked. But I hear that you cannot trust the world at large not to write using LLMs. Considering the commercial incentive to use LLMs to publish this content at scale, I agree with that mistrust.
Still, if you were able to find a small community with shared values, you might be able to find that joy from reading works by others you personally know and trust.