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Comment by margalabargala

15 hours ago

Thanks for the anecdote. I don't think it changes the point of the metaphor.

> Thanks for the anecdote.

They're only sharing an annecdote because they are responding to your annecdote about not seeing a ceiling collapse.

> I don't think it changes the point of the metaphor.

If their anecdotes is moot, than your anecdote is also moot; if the anecdotes can only confirm a conclusion and never disconfirm, then we've created an unfalsifiable construction with the conclusion baked into it's premises.

  • Sure, I suppose that's something that someone who doesn't understand the discussion might say.

    A person who better comprehends what they read might properly contextualize within the larger conversation, where the point that stands is that LLMs and ceilings are both useful, neither are doomed such that no one should use them, and that individual instances of failures are somewhat uncommon and not a reason for others to avoid the category.

    • > Sure, I suppose that's something that someone who doesn't understand the discussion might say.

      I'm going to be frank, you are the person who misunderstands (and are being rather rude about it). You are responding to an argument no one is making.

      To put a fine point on it, you said this:

      > Entropy may mean all ceilings collapse eventually, but that doesn't mean we aren't able to make useful ceilings.

      But you were responding to a comment saying this:

      > Except your ceiling can and will fall on you unless you take preventative measures, entirely due to molecular interactions within the material.

      Emphasis added. They are saying maintenance is necessary, not that a safe ceiling is unachievable. It's obviously achievable, we've all seen it achieved.

      They further say:

      > It boggles the mind to let an LLM have access to a production database without having explicit preventative measures and contingency plans for it deleting it.

      Emphasis added. When they say it boggles the mind to deploy an LLM without the proper measures, the implication is that it does make sense to deploy it with the proper measures.

      > ...the point that stands is that LLMs and ceilings are both useful, neither are doomed such that no one should use them, ...

      I have not seen a single person in this subthread say that LLMs aren't useful or that they are doomed. People say that. But the people you're talking to haven't.

      I try to avoid these petty "I brought the receipts" comments, but I don't like the way you're being snarky to people who's crime is engaging with the premises you set up. The faults you are finding are faults you introduced. I'd appreciate if you would avoid that in the future.

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