This reminds me of the “Compulsive Programmer” chapter in “Computer Power and Human Reason” (c. 1976), and also of how I used to write code when I first started - way before LLMs were a thing and also before I studied proper engineering. That kind of unfortunately common type of programmer follows exactly the hook-loop model, except instead of relying on an LLM to randomise the result of each loop iteration you do it yourself by proceeding without really trying to understand the problem.
I think this is a basic feature of programming, where a single iteration of trial and error is very fast and cheap, and where you can very easily have something that looks like it works without knowing why or even if it does. ChatGPT removes technical barriers and friction, sure, but programming was already kinda cooked. I would be interested in whether generative tools make this approach feasible in other more mature technical disciplines.
Also, that chapter in Computer Power is well worth a read on its own, as a finely aged sneer at computering under the assumption that enough computering is a good substitute for understanding anything else.
…okay in retrospect “AI is gambling” does explain a lot about why people are going completely fucking bonkers for autoplag
Cocaine doesn’t make you a business genius — it just makes you think you’re a business genius. Same for AI.
This is completely unrelated, but I once saw a dude snort a line of cocaine straight off a Nintendo Switch. Its kinda funny to think about.
Just ask yourself one simple question. Can you align AI responses same like you align ads on websites ?
Then ask yourself who are you speaking with.Curious what a study on relative AI uptake by Parkinson’s patients and my fellow adhd’ers looks like. The same dopaminergic systems whose underperformance drives symptoms also makes us more likely to get hooked on gambling than average.
Edit: also, AI-to-cocaine is the new cloud-to-butt
I always wonder if an ADHDer gambling while a stimulant dose is active would find gambling even more addictive than a non-ADHDer because of the artificially increased amount of dopamine floating around. Or the same but with other potentially addictive behaviors.
@jonhendry @o7___o7 @techtakes Anecdotally, I didn’t quite understand the appeal of fishing, watching sports, or instant lottery tickets before taking medication. But I’ve heard studies show that typically ADHD people tend to be more prone to addiction issues without medication. I think it might be more drive to see things to completion vs. actual addiction. Like I feel like my “social media addiction” is worse now, but it’s more that I was always addicted and now it takes longer to get bored.
@jonhendry @o7___o7 @techtakes There’s also a common misconception as to what dopamine does. It’s not actually the reward chemical as such, it’s the motivation chemical. Dopamine levels increase throughout a task until it’s complete then dopamine levels drop off. So if you have ADHD and you’re not medicated, rewards are still rewarding but working towards them is difficult, which is why you’d be more prone to easy rewards like drugs or gambling without meds than rewards you have to work towards
@jonhendry @o7___o7 @techtakes To clarify my point a little, by instant lottery tickets I mean the slightly less instant ones like crosswords or bingo. Before meds I found them too tedious to be worth the brain reward, but not anymore (of course I’d never *pay* for lottery tickets, but I get them as gifts sometimes). So I can kind of see how meds could enable some addictions that wouldn’t have had a chance to form otherwise.
In my experience, stimulants mean more self-control!
ADHD is a broad church, but most of us generally show reduced dopaminergic activity around the frontal lobe, which can manifest, as an example, executive dysfunction. The right stimulant medication at the proper dosage helps balance that out. My unmedicated brother can drink a latte and go to sleep immediately.
Gambling, browsing, etc feel good for the same reason, and I will never touch casinos, cocaine or street meth because I suspect that it’d ruin me.
Wait…I would like to hone in your brother drinking latte point, could you explain that in a bit more detail, if you don’t mind?
dunno about mechanism, but as someone absolutely fried by ADHD i can tell you there’s no nap as sweet as the nap after your third coffee of the day.
An obsecure fediverse thing made a setting to replace the phrase “artificial intelligence” with ai, and its working pretty well.
https://app.wafrn.net/fediverse/post/74cb20ed-38fe-422d-b403-5f1da34f40b7
This post is gold.
many ideas cribbed from rants by our valued comrade @fasterandworse, who rants about Hooked at the slightest provocation
David pulled it all together perfectly here. It’s amazing how well it fits the hook model, whether they intended it or not
