Simon WillisonFeb 25, 2023

Another note in favour of "electric bicycles for the mind" as an analogy for large language models: nobody should ride an electric bicycle without first learning how to use it

And how to ride it safely, both for themselves and for other people

Show threadSimon WillisonFeb 25, 2023

As @timbray points out this only works if learning to ride a regular bike is part of it - there's very little learning curve between a regular bike and an e-bike

So it's flawed as an analogy because that distinction distracts from it

Show threadAlper Çuğun-Gscheidel
@simon @timbray Maybe LLMs are more like an electric scooter for the mind: easy to get on, fun, convenient, annoying for others and huge risk of injury
Feb 25, 2023 at 5:27amWeb
Show threadAlan BragginsFeb 25, 2023
@alper @simon @timbray
Lots of confounding factors, but the risk might actually not be huge compared with bikes.
https://www.moveelectric.com/e-scooters/new-study-finds-e-scooters-are-five-times-safer-bikes
New study finds e-scooters are five times safer than bikes | Move Electric

Show threadAlper Çuğun-GscheidelFeb 25, 2023
@armb Just that drunk people break their collarbones with them and drug dealers whoosh over the pavements.