Anil Dash
One of the things that's most frustrating about the hype cycle around OpenClaw is that so much of what people are excited about is just... software? You can automate doing lots of cool stuff with your inbox with deterministic software that's been around for decades, and it won't delete your inbox! And much of it is easier to install than OpenClaw is!
Feb 25 at 3:46pmWeb
Show threadQoleFeb 25
@anildash
I work in integration and I have been through several "agentic" automation demos, and the non-deterministic aspect of these agents really spooks me. When automating a process, you generally want the output to be predictable!
Show threadPer CederbergFeb 25

@qole @anildash So true. Seems like a much more trustworthy solution would be to have an agent create and maintain deterministic software doing the actual thing.

The slight variations in output caused by randomness or prompt wording can be annoying. And a recipe for trouble. Just like the recent openclaw-deleted-my-inbox story.

Show threadSean CoatesFeb 25

@anildash I haven't used it (and I won’t—at least not as it is), but I think a big part of the hype is that people feel tools like this can give them *agency* over their software.

We used to have this. There was more diversity in things like email clients and people could choose how to view their feeds via external apps. Communication apps could connect to multiple networks and often had things like scripting.

OpenClaw "makes this easy”.

People are tired of being waterboarded by the firehose.

Show threadJerome (He/Him)Feb 25
@anildash if I had a nickel for every parallel agent someone has boasted about running....
Show threaddotyFeb 25
@anildash I know that you already know to reserve some of the frustration for the world that leaves people desperate to just tell the computer what they want to happen in plain language without clicking through rules wizards and whatnot…. The illusion is so compelling…
Show threadAnil DashFeb 25
@doty even there, a plain-language front end to deterministic code could be so much more powerful!
Show threaddotyFeb 25
@anildash yes agreed! “Please make me rules that do this…” “does this look like what you want?” Etc
Show threadStoinovFeb 25
@doty @anildash I think that’s the result of the early adopters being themselves and wanting the most of it.
Eventually the industry will figure out that the majority wants to have freedom to use natural language but with guardrails and guidance for the most part.
They basically want a working Siri yet no one is giving them precisely that.
Show threadMack ReedFeb 25
Nor will the good, older apps expose your private data to an LLM and all that hoover from it.
Show threadsayrerFeb 25

@anildash the weird thing to me is that the OpenClaw people think this is the cause of Mac mini order lead times.

Mmm, this is what they do when there's going to be a new one. Probably M5, since it is already in some laptops.

Show threadMikeFeb 25

@anildash Totally insane to me how the most valuable ways these models appear to be used by both normal people (as an answer engine that basically synthesizes a google+wikipedia integration) and enthusiasts (local “agent” run amok) are totally achievable with very inexpensive tools using traditional computing interfaces.

Reminds me a few years ago how all the tech billionaires were trying to find a way to recreate public transit with venture capital. We already solved these problems cheaply!

Show threadDer Kleine NickFeb 25

@mldsmith @anildash

Isn't that the business model of the software ( and hardware ) world since years?
The concept seems to have always been: Replace free but "complicated" stuff with the paid "one button press / instant gratification" version that can upscale to the masses.
Its akin to selling someone a 500 hp race car that sits either in a garage or in traffic jams ... :D

Show threadJim JonesFeb 25

@anildash I think this is people realizing that automation exists and that computers can do stuff.

The story of the guy who burned through his credits by using an AI agent to remind him to buy Milk the next day is an example of someone who just doesn't know how to use a computer.

I mean, set a couple of calendar reminders. It's not that hard.

But instead... WooWo0!!! Computers can do stuff for you is such a revelation to people.

What have they been doing all these years?

Show thread[email protected]Feb 28
@anildash not to mention the fact that most people would dislike a stranger faffing about with their laptop but happily are submitting to OpenClaw. Hello??? Anybody home? Jeez.