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> I would have thought it obvious that LLMs' primary usefulness is as force-multipliers of the messaging sent out into a society. I see this a lot and this is

> I would have thought it obvious that LLMs' primary usefulness is as force-multipliers of the messaging sent out into a society. I see this a lot and this is not at all obvious to me. I'm very much an introvert. Would you describe yourself as the same or opposite? > Each member of hoi polloi will be absolutely cocooned I generally read specific publications and generally don't seek to "interact" online and entirely avoid social media. Prior to the existence of social media this was the norm. Do you not at all suspect that this overuse of LLMs would push people back towards a more primitive use of the network? > The only way to control the internet, you see, proved to be to drown it out. Yet I see them sparing no expense when it comes to manipulating the law. It seems there's a bit more to it than punching down on the "hoi polloi."

SecretDreams 1y ago
> Do you not at all suspect that this overuse of LLMs would push people back towards a more primitive use of the network? The Internet's enshitification is a lot like entropy. It can only go in one direction, even if the user base would genuinely prefer another.
- andsoitis 1y ago
  When was the internet at its highest quality?
  - jakimfett 1y ago
    Before we plugged it in.
    - SecretDreams 1y ago
      "In the beginning"
AdieuToLogic 1y ago
>> I would have thought it obvious that LLMs' primary usefulness is as force-multipliers of the messaging sent out into a society. > I see this a lot and this is not at all obvious to me. Here is an example as to how LLM's are jet fuel for spreading arbitrary disinformation. Scripting the interaction below is trivial with minor prompt alteration and is left as an exercise for the reader. Prompt: Generate 10 unique sentences supporting removing fluoride from municipal water. Make 2 aggressive. Answers: Here are 10 unique sentences supporting removing fluoride from municipal water supplies: Municipal water fluoridation represents a form of mass medication without individual consent, violating the fundamental principle of informed medical choice. The practice of adding industrial-grade fluoride chemicals to drinking water is an assault on public health that must be stopped immediately. (aggressive) Studies have linked excessive fluoride exposure to dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and potential neurological effects, particularly in children. Modern toothpaste and dental care products already provide adequate fluoride exposure for those who choose it, making water fluoridation redundant. It's time to end the archaic and dangerous practice of medicating entire populations through the water supply against their will. (aggressive) European countries like Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands have successfully maintained good dental health without water fluoridation programs. The optimal fluoride dosage cannot be controlled through water supplies since people consume varying amounts of water based on age, health, and activity level. Water fluoridation disproportionately affects low-income communities who cannot afford filtration systems to remove unwanted chemicals. Natural fluoride exposure through food sources provides sufficient intake without the need for artificial supplementation in drinking water. Communities should have the right to vote on whether they want fluoride added to their water supply rather than having it imposed by government mandate. > I'm very much an introvert. Would you describe yourself as the same or opposite? How is this in any way relevant to the original premise regarding "LLM's primary usefulness"?
- jasonfarnon 1y ago
  are you saying those sentences are "disinformation"? Because most of those don't even look like empirical claims. Many look like ethical arguments (eg the first 2 or the last 1). Are you advocating for a world in which those opinions can't be broadcast, even far and wide? For those that are empirical I would say at first blush they look plausible enough I would put the burden of proof on the other side. Maybe that's a problem. (Is "European countries like Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands have successfully maintained good dental health without water fluoridation programs" false? Is "Water fluoridation disproportionately affects low-income communities who cannot afford filtration systems to remove unwanted chemicals" false?)

SecretDreams 1y ago

> Do you not at all suspect that this overuse of LLMs would push people back towards a more primitive use of the network? The Internet's enshitification is a lot like entropy. It can only go in one direction, even if the user base would genuinely prefer another.

andsoitis 1y ago
When was the internet at its highest quality?
- jakimfett 1y ago
  Before we plugged it in.
  - SecretDreams 1y ago
    "In the beginning"

AdieuToLogic 1y ago

>> I would have thought it obvious that LLMs' primary usefulness is as force-multipliers of the messaging sent out into a society. > I see this a lot and this is not at all obvious to me. Here is an example as to how LLM's are jet fuel for spreading arbitrary disinformation. Scripting the interaction below is trivial with minor prompt alteration and is left as an exercise for the reader. Prompt: Generate 10 unique sentences supporting removing fluoride from municipal water. Make 2 aggressive. Answers: Here are 10 unique sentences supporting removing fluoride from municipal water supplies: Municipal water fluoridation represents a form of mass medication without individual consent, violating the fundamental principle of informed medical choice. The practice of adding industrial-grade fluoride chemicals to drinking water is an assault on public health that must be stopped immediately. (aggressive) Studies have linked excessive fluoride exposure to dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and potential neurological effects, particularly in children. Modern toothpaste and dental care products already provide adequate fluoride exposure for those who choose it, making water fluoridation redundant. It's time to end the archaic and dangerous practice of medicating entire populations through the water supply against their will. (aggressive) European countries like Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands have successfully maintained good dental health without water fluoridation programs. The optimal fluoride dosage cannot be controlled through water supplies since people consume varying amounts of water based on age, health, and activity level. Water fluoridation disproportionately affects low-income communities who cannot afford filtration systems to remove unwanted chemicals. Natural fluoride exposure through food sources provides sufficient intake without the need for artificial supplementation in drinking water. Communities should have the right to vote on whether they want fluoride added to their water supply rather than having it imposed by government mandate. > I'm very much an introvert. Would you describe yourself as the same or opposite? How is this in any way relevant to the original premise regarding "LLM's primary usefulness"?

jasonfarnon 1y ago
are you saying those sentences are "disinformation"? Because most of those don't even look like empirical claims. Many look like ethical arguments (eg the first 2 or the last 1). Are you advocating for a world in which those opinions can't be broadcast, even far and wide? For those that are empirical I would say at first blush they look plausible enough I would put the burden of proof on the other side. Maybe that's a problem. (Is "European countries like Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands have successfully maintained good dental health without water fluoridation programs" false? Is "Water fluoridation disproportionately affects low-income communities who cannot afford filtration systems to remove unwanted chemicals" false?)