Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#1

Post by dboon » Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 6:55 PM UTC

Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)
gwern.net

Re: Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#2

Post by avaer » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 12:27 AM UTC

One of the more compelling (and scary) stories about how AI takes over the world. If you liked this, also check our Pluribus.

Re: Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#3

Post by mmooss » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 12:29 AM UTC

(2012)

Also here:

https://web.archive.org/web/20131230055512/http://squid314.l...

Does anyone know the provenance of this story? One comment says, responding to someone who recommends publishing it,

> The problem is that it's published so he can sell only second rights.

EDIT: The story is tagged (at the top) "fiction, raikoth". Raikoth is the 'constructed civilization' of Scott Alexander, author of Slate Star Codex, et al. And though the post is at gwern.net, I see the author is "Scott".

Re: Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#4

Post by lalaithion » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 12:34 AM UTC

mmooss wrote: post #3

(2012) Also here: https://web.archive.org/web/20131230055512/http://squid314.l... Does anyone know the provenance of this story? One comment says, responding to someone who recommends publishing it, > The problem is that it's published so he can sell only second rights. EDIT: The story is tagged (at the top) "fiction, raikoth". Raikoth is the 'constructed civilization' of Scott Alexander, author of Slate Star Codex,…

What do you mean the provenance? It was published on livejournal in 2012, that’s the provenance.

Re: Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#5

Post by beepbooptheory » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 1:22 AM UTC

This came up the other day, can someone help explain this to me? I am not quite sharp enough to understand it. Context:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48911884

Re: Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#6

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 1:25 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#7

Post by emmelaich » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 1:34 AM UTC

mmooss wrote: post #3

(2012) Also here: https://web.archive.org/web/20131230055512/http://squid314.l... Does anyone know the provenance of this story? One comment says, responding to someone who recommends publishing it, > The problem is that it's published so he can sell only second rights. EDIT: The story is tagged (at the top) "fiction, raikoth". Raikoth is the 'constructed civilization' of Scott Alexander, author of Slate Star Codex,…

Yep, Scott (squid314) used livejournal before SlateStarCodex, before AstralCodexTen.

Re: Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#8

Post by fourthark » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 1:36 AM UTC

beepbooptheory wrote: post #5

This came up the other day, can someone help explain this to me? I am not quite sharp enough to understand it. Context: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48911884

Seems like a fairly direct parable against AI, suggesting that even if it's right it's better to think for yourself.

Re: Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#9

Post by beepbooptheory » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 1:41 AM UTC

fourthark wrote: post #8

beepbooptheory wrote: post #5

This came up the other day, can someone help explain this to me? I am not quite sharp enough to understand it. Context: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48911884

Seems like a fairly direct parable against AI, suggesting that even if it's right it's better to think for yourself.

You mean like LLM AI? Seems a little too early for that no?

Either way, what is it right about? In your mind?

Re: Clarity didn't work, trying mysterianism (2012)

#10

Post by keeda » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 2:00 AM UTC

I suppose the earring never whispered anything about putting glue on pizza?