Ian Nance
@iannance.bsky.social
Recovering lurker. Philosophy PhD. Web dev. Fresno, CA
There are distinct underlying problems for sure, but doesn’t this assume that AI isn’t really pulling some people toward bad outcomes? I don’t feel confident that these chat bots aren’t genuine causal contributors.
December 29, 2025 at 12:41 AM
There are distinct underlying problems for sure, but doesn’t this assume that AI isn’t really pulling some people toward bad outcomes? I don’t feel confident that these chat bots aren’t genuine causal contributors.
There's a possible world where people have free will and always choose to act rightly. I don't see why God didn't just create that world.
December 10, 2025 at 12:53 AM
There's a possible world where people have free will and always choose to act rightly. I don't see why God didn't just create that world.
Enjoying this one a lot. Has anyone noted that the Keynes quote at the beginning is the economics analog of the cerulean sweater monologue from The Devil Wears Prada?
November 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Enjoying this one a lot. Has anyone noted that the Keynes quote at the beginning is the economics analog of the cerulean sweater monologue from The Devil Wears Prada?
Sure but if Democrats really tried a non-woke strategy, why did I sometimes see woke opinions that annoyed me online?
October 28, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Sure but if Democrats really tried a non-woke strategy, why did I sometimes see woke opinions that annoyed me online?
LLMs are definitely impressive and demonstrate some unexpected features of language, but isn’t the claim that appropriate responses constitute understanding just a version of behaviorism?
October 17, 2025 at 5:30 AM
LLMs are definitely impressive and demonstrate some unexpected features of language, but isn’t the claim that appropriate responses constitute understanding just a version of behaviorism?
Wait, so which of his messages were “just a meme” and which were sincere political statements, in your view?
September 16, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Wait, so which of his messages were “just a meme” and which were sincere political statements, in your view?
It’s true. Online gamer types across the political spectrum are known for evincing deep sincerity in all their choices. It’s part of their culture that their memes and media always reflect their true sentiments in a straightforward way.
September 16, 2025 at 5:46 PM
It’s true. Online gamer types across the political spectrum are known for evincing deep sincerity in all their choices. It’s part of their culture that their memes and media always reflect their true sentiments in a straightforward way.
What do you think accounts for the contents of our thoughts on this picture? How is it that we are able to think _about_ objects and properties in the world?
August 29, 2025 at 4:02 AM
What do you think accounts for the contents of our thoughts on this picture? How is it that we are able to think _about_ objects and properties in the world?
But wasn't 2016 warmer than 2020 or 2021? Sorry if I'm missing something obvious, here.
July 24, 2025 at 11:12 PM
But wasn't 2016 warmer than 2020 or 2021? Sorry if I'm missing something obvious, here.
I guess I wasn't aware that held at the level of individual calendar days. Yikes!
July 24, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I guess I wasn't aware that held at the level of individual calendar days. Yikes!
Sure, as a general trend that's true and terrifying, but it's definitely not true that each calendar day is hotter than the same day the year before.
July 24, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Sure, as a general trend that's true and terrifying, but it's definitely not true that each calendar day is hotter than the same day the year before.
What does this mean? Like the coldest July 24th? Is that true?
July 24, 2025 at 10:47 PM
What does this mean? Like the coldest July 24th? Is that true?
I guess I do feel pretty confident that there are no mental states involved in the case of LLMs. I also think some people are definitely interacting with them in ways that amount to a gross parody. I don't think it's so dire that we need to ban them.
July 21, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I guess I do feel pretty confident that there are no mental states involved in the case of LLMs. I also think some people are definitely interacting with them in ways that amount to a gross parody. I don't think it's so dire that we need to ban them.
That might be a heuristic people would use, but short of going full behaviorist we can still distinguish a perfectly convincing imitator from something with actual mental states, can't we?
July 21, 2025 at 10:12 PM
That might be a heuristic people would use, but short of going full behaviorist we can still distinguish a perfectly convincing imitator from something with actual mental states, can't we?
"When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I BURIED you."
It was then that I BURIED you."
July 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
"When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I BURIED you."
It was then that I BURIED you."
I’m not sure how that addresses the concern about LLMs? Could be wrong, but I thought the last 50 years of phil of mind point pretty strongly towards causal interaction with the world through perception/action being necessary for intentionality.
June 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I’m not sure how that addresses the concern about LLMs? Could be wrong, but I thought the last 50 years of phil of mind point pretty strongly towards causal interaction with the world through perception/action being necessary for intentionality.
What other forces do you see at work? I take your point here about the politics of journalists, but the lying and sane-washing on Trump’s behalf is so persistent and egregious.
June 16, 2025 at 3:37 AM
What other forces do you see at work? I take your point here about the politics of journalists, but the lying and sane-washing on Trump’s behalf is so persistent and egregious.
This stuff really gets my choler and black bile flowing.
June 15, 2025 at 5:06 AM
This stuff really gets my choler and black bile flowing.
That’s wild. I watched and commented on that video. Absolutely no way that was bullying or harassment.
June 12, 2025 at 1:54 AM
That’s wild. I watched and commented on that video. Absolutely no way that was bullying or harassment.
I always loved Peter Jackson’s “The Frighteners”, and I think it follows this pretty well. Definitely doesn’t come off as a parody.
June 10, 2025 at 10:16 PM
I always loved Peter Jackson’s “The Frighteners”, and I think it follows this pretty well. Definitely doesn’t come off as a parody.
Is the idea that there was a material or structural change that accounts for the resurgence, but that change is being missed or ignored by non-communists?
June 6, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Is the idea that there was a material or structural change that accounts for the resurgence, but that change is being missed or ignored by non-communists?
Hey jackass, didn’t you just give this guy and his fellow crypto grifters a big hand out?
May 20, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Hey jackass, didn’t you just give this guy and his fellow crypto grifters a big hand out?
I think the short version is that the bread and wine are changed into different substances, but with the same sensible qualities, e.g. taste.
May 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
I think the short version is that the bread and wine are changed into different substances, but with the same sensible qualities, e.g. taste.
Jesus you suck. Go jump in the garbage.
May 6, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Jesus you suck. Go jump in the garbage.
Do you think that teacher’s unions should act in solidarity with unions representing other, less-skilled sectors? Or would that be against their interests?
April 26, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Do you think that teacher’s unions should act in solidarity with unions representing other, less-skilled sectors? Or would that be against their interests?