I have very little direct experience with language modeling apps. My instincts quickly recognized that my interactions with this tech was damaging to my spirit. Since stepping back, I have learned a lot about “Artificial Intelligence.” These Large Language Models (LLMs) aren’t the popularly understood “thinking” machines from movies and contemporary discourse. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is what the industry refers to when discussing a properly “thinking” machine. As far as I know, this does not yet exist. I use quotes around “thinking” because these engineers do not know what that word means. Philosophers have been wrestling with the concept of conciousness for as long as…well…we don’t know how long. The tech industry is investing a witheringly small amount of philosophical energy. I’m glad. I don’t want them to figure this out and I suspect that it is an impossible feat.
Back to LLMs. These are complex modelling programs, they do not value truth. Their job is to make the best guess at producing a result that pleases the user. It acquires from each question, and “learns” to refine the language as you refine your inquiry.
It’s a very clever conman that gets the answers right most of the time.
It’s similar to the problem with tests. Being a good test taker doesn’t mean you have mastered the material, it means you have learned the game of the test. I was a smart kid, but I realized that once I mastered the concept of tests, I could turn down my brain power and coast through school.
LLMs are mastering the test, but they have no way to master the material.
“These models acquire predictive power regarding syntax, semantics, and ontologies inherent in human language corpora, but they also inherit inaccuracies and biases present in the data they are trained on.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_language_model
Adventures in Music
Isaiah 43: Forgiveness
Isaiah 43:22 RSV — “Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel!
Isaiah 43:25 RSV — “I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
Although Jacob’s people deny and forget God repeatedly, he does not withhold forgiveness.
The phrase “for my own sake” stands out for the human truth that when we forgive those who wrong us, we are blessed.
A Good Cry/Someone Needs This
The last episode of Duncan Trussell’s The Midnight Gospel is a doozy.
It’s a surreally animated conversation between Trussel and his mother, Deneen Fendig, who passed away shortly after the conversation.
Although I knew the story behind it, that didn’t prepare me for the power of the exchange.
Fendig had been given six months to live, four years previous. She had been told over and over that her end was near.
The grace and peace that emanate from the calm tone of her voice were healing. She was in a place of true acceptance.
The wisdom of the conversation runs deep. With a runtime under 30 minutes, it’s the kind of exposure to death that everyone should take a moment to experience.
Isaiah 42: Servant Song
Isaiah 42:13-14 KJV — The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
Different translations have the LORD referring to Himself as a soldier, champion, warrior, or man of war. Then, in the next verse, He holds his peace before crying out like a woman in labor.
The entire chapter contains repetitions and apparent contradictions.
Some sources refer to this poem as the first of Isaiah’s Song of the Servant, calling God’s people to quietly bring justice to the world.
Maybe this chapter is guiding us to recognize that our role here is small. God determines the rhythms of the universe and we’re blind to the true machinations.
I Don’t Want To
I had a lot of reasons to not train tonight. Somehow, I got myself here.
No turning back now.
Isaiah 41: Cyrus
Isaiah 41:10 KJV — Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
In this chapter, Isaiah foretells the rise of king Cyrus and God’s continued guidance of Jacob’s people.
Isaiah 40: Comfort
Isaiah 40:17 KJV — All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
I take comfort when I come across these reminders that God’s authority is everything and man’s authority is nothing.
There is dispute over whether Isaiah wrote this and later chapters. John Oswalt and Henry Halley believe Isaiah is the sole author. Many others seem to think there are three or more authors. I’m inclined to side with Halley.
Rosie Boffo Photography
Wow. So so grateful to the talented and generous Rosie Boff for taking and sharing these pics of my son playing rock star.
The “Banned Book” Lie
If the book is readily available in multiple places (some for free), it isn’t banned.
With limited space and resources, schools have to make choices. The “banned book” panic is a distraction.