Comment by shaky-carrousel

I have to disagree. We've been using "knowing" for programs for decades without requiring it to imply reasoning. Just because the output now looks more realistic doesn't mean we need to suddenly get philosophical about it. That shift says more about us than about the software.

And while accurate mental models can help in certain contexts, they're not always necessary. I don't need a detailed model of how my OS handles file operations to use it effectively. A high-level understanding is usually enough. Insisting on deep internal accuracy in every case seems more like gatekeeping than good practice.