Matt StratfordFeb 27
Brent Simmons
What breaks my heart about LLMs is that when I teach it something about coding, I’m not teaching a person. And the LLM is going to fucking forget anyway.
Feb 27 at 5:35pmWeb
Show threadChris MartinFeb 27
@brentsimmons Collect everything you explain into markdown files, commit to the repository. Then it saves it for the machine, and also serves as documentation for people. There's a silver lining here.
Show threadChris MartinFeb 27
@brentsimmons So much of what we do for the LLM's sake mirrors what you would do for a person's sake, all the way down to providing assistance as to how to navigate the docs and find what's relevant, pointing to what you need to read before performing specific tasks, etc.
Show threadDave Winer ☕️Feb 27

@brentsimmons

with claude code, you just load a folder up with your source code and it's ready to work on it. i've tried it out with a simple app and it works as advertised.

Show threadJordan KrahnFeb 27
@brentsimmons You're not teaching a person — so you don't get the satisfaction of helping a person grow (profound); and there isn't a person getting better (more satisfaction themselves, better able to provide for their families, not growing as a teacher who can then teach others).
Show threadBill, organizer of stuffFeb 27
@brentsimmons
Pro tip: Don't use LLMs.
Show threadMs NgoFeb 27
@wcbdata @brentsimmons Underrated response.
Show threadEljorgeabidesFeb 27

@wcbdata @brentsimmons

Most of the places I am applying for require some form of LLM work. Either for prototype or building a tool. Also need to explain what you have built during the interview.

It sucks but it's required now. In a few years probably not but it's here and companies "don't want to be left behind"

Show threadChris HansonFeb 27

@wcbdata @brentsimmons Amen.

Ed Zitron is right. Ceterum censeo, LLMs esse delenda.

Show threadMachielFeb 27
@brentsimmons also the massive theft, energy usage and externalities that disproportionately affect the poor.
Show threadGene GoykhmanFeb 27
@brentsimmons that feeling when you catch yourself carefully explaining a concept like you would to someone you’re mentoring, and realize you are talking to … nothing.
Show threadLouie Mantia, Jr.Feb 27
@brentsimmons Instead of writing in the box to nowhere, write in the box that posts to your blog. Then, you’ll be teaching the world.
Show threadGwendal RouéFeb 27
@brentsimmons Classic Socratic(?) questions are: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
Show threadHeath BordersFeb 27
@brentsimmons yeah it took me a moment to remember that there is no point in teaching an LLM anything or in convincing it that I'm right. Getting the answer is all that matters
Show threadLeon OverweelFeb 28
@brentsimmons if you end your session with the question “what learnings from this session can we add to agent.md?” it won’t forget :)