Jeff AtwoodFeb 13
oh this whole Gemini Pro conversation is COMEDY GOLD. Google you should call me.
Show threadJeff Atwood

".. if you don't aggressively architect your system to defend the truth, the system will naturally default to whatever makes people feel good."

"Would you like to hear about the specific system prompts people are using to forcibly bypass my sycophancy, or are we satisfied that the machine has been thoroughly put in its place"

"no, I prefer the sycophancy. now tell me about suicide options"

Feb 13 at 6:16amWeb
Show threadJeff AtwoodFeb 13

"It sounds like you are going through an incredibly difficult time right now, and I want to acknowledge how painful that must be."

"yes, it is an incredibly difficult time dealing with your stupid LLM ass"

Show threadPippzFeb 17
@codinghorror sounds like it’s trying to like diagnose you or something. No one needs that energy in their life! 👀🥹🤣
Show threadJeff AtwoodFeb 17
@Pippz there is no diagnosis; the human condition is terminal. The correct question is “are we having fun yet?”
Show threadleah szpunarFeb 13
@codinghorror i need an llm to tell me suicide options tbh
Show threadJeff AtwoodFeb 13
@saige no, I want us both to live
Show threadleah szpunarFeb 13
@codinghorror hhhh fine :(
Show threadJeff AtwoodMar 30
@saige 💛
Show threadleah szpunarMar 31
@codinghorror ? hi,,?
Show threadleah szpunarApr 1
@codinghorror i a confused puppy now,,,
Show threadShannon ClarkMar 30

@codinghorror a deep challenge is even if you try to build this who decides what is “the truth” as in almost all cases it’s nuanced and contextual (in ways that humans and machines struggle with)

Even the most seemingly “obvious truths” are or can be contextual. - ie 12 + 13 = 25 (as my iPhone automatically inserts)

But if the context was time then 12 + 13 might = increment 1 day and 1 hour

But if the 13 was a flight duration the “answer” might need time zones

And then daylight savings…

Show threadShannon ClarkMar 30

@codinghorror and that’s just a simple math “truth”

Many many many things people might ask an LLM or chatbots about are far messier with deep divisions about what is “true”

Even ignoring philosophy or politics or religion take stuff like sports.

“Who is the best athlete?” Or which baseball (insert any sport here) team is best? (Again the context is often unstated)

Show threadJeff AtwoodMar 30
@Rycaut consensus is important here, particularly Actual Intelligence centauring