Have to take commentary by non tech folks speaking about tech with a grain of salt and perspective since the tech is changing so fast both in capability and application.

Research can be more of a lagging indicator than a leading indicator with AI.

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podgietaru 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I can't disagree enough with this. Not everything needs to be understood in a technical context. Technology intersects with society, and understanding its impacts on that society is vital.

Or in other words: the humanities are good.

	▲	j45 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I'll clarify in case it helps - need everyone at the table, not just only tech (or non-tech only) as you may be assuming. Technology takes without a tech perspective present can greatly skew it. I'm not referring to a technology context at all. Just like you shouldn't trust the IT department to run accounting... the opposite will also vary. Not being able to track the possibilities and capabilities of a type of software that is unlike the software before it can really outdate things quickly.

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tptacek 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

They're specifically not using the term "virus" pejoratively, but rather distinguishing the social mechanism LLMs seem to have from something as simple as a "meme".

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Avicebron 6 hours ago | parent [-]

Contagion probably is more accurate.

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tptacek 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Well, a meme is contagious, but it doesn't do the same work a virus can at altering the structure of its host.

	▲	Avicebron 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I'm actually not too sure about that, viruses have their own mechanisms of infiltrating the host and replicating inside of it. But so do ideas.

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grebc 6 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

STD outbreak maps better.

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j45 5 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I would agree contangion is a much better word.

Social Contagions can be memes, plus doom scrolling or anything.

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pixl97 5 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Ah yes, the cognito-hazards.

We've created new SCPs.

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djeastm 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

It helps to have outside observers looking at the effects of a new technology and industry and not just depending on those within it to report for us.