Jason McC. Smith
@jasonmccsmith.bsky.social
Software archaeologist, author, general technology troublemaker and troubleshooter. Standards wonk, research focus on semantic analysis of large systems.
Watched Tron last night, and I'm sure that OpenAI naming their connect-to-everything method the Model Context Protocol is sheer coincidence, right?
End of line.
End of line.
October 10, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Watched Tron last night, and I'm sure that OpenAI naming their connect-to-everything method the Model Context Protocol is sheer coincidence, right?
End of line.
End of line.
A quote from Charles Babbage:
"On two occasions I have been asked: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
"On two occasions I have been asked: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
October 1, 2025 at 7:07 PM
A quote from Charles Babbage:
"On two occasions I have been asked: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
"On two occasions I have been asked: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
iPhone 17 Air... that truly is a ridiculously thin device. I think we've crested the peak of practicality, however, and are cruising down to the nanoPod parody on SNL.
With one caveat.
If I understood correctly, (nearly) the entirety of the phone is in the bump at the top.
With one caveat.
If I understood correctly, (nearly) the entirety of the phone is in the bump at the top.
September 10, 2025 at 1:19 AM
iPhone 17 Air... that truly is a ridiculously thin device. I think we've crested the peak of practicality, however, and are cruising down to the nanoPod parody on SNL.
With one caveat.
If I understood correctly, (nearly) the entirety of the phone is in the bump at the top.
With one caveat.
If I understood correctly, (nearly) the entirety of the phone is in the bump at the top.
I have been pointing out for some time that the only significant connection that LLM outputs have to objective reality is what is created by the reader.
This dives further into the psychology of the feedback loop.
This dives further into the psychology of the feedback loop.
Yeah this piece on how the tech industry fooled itself in the same way that psychics and mentalists end up fooling themselves is really critical, I think, to understanding how and why. This illustration of the stages of LLM use is straight-up mentalism.
softwarecrisis.dev/letters/llme...
softwarecrisis.dev/letters/llme...
August 14, 2025 at 1:29 AM
I have been pointing out for some time that the only significant connection that LLM outputs have to objective reality is what is created by the reader.
This dives further into the psychology of the feedback loop.
This dives further into the psychology of the feedback loop.
My unpopular take:
*Every* LLM / GenAI output is a hallucination.
Let me be clear... not just the obviously wrong ones, but *every* output.
The current crop of LLM/GenAI engines operate on statistical models of language. That's all.
Not logic, not fact bases, not reasoning.
*Every* LLM / GenAI output is a hallucination.
Let me be clear... not just the obviously wrong ones, but *every* output.
The current crop of LLM/GenAI engines operate on statistical models of language. That's all.
Not logic, not fact bases, not reasoning.
July 16, 2025 at 9:12 PM
My unpopular take:
*Every* LLM / GenAI output is a hallucination.
Let me be clear... not just the obviously wrong ones, but *every* output.
The current crop of LLM/GenAI engines operate on statistical models of language. That's all.
Not logic, not fact bases, not reasoning.
*Every* LLM / GenAI output is a hallucination.
Let me be clear... not just the obviously wrong ones, but *every* output.
The current crop of LLM/GenAI engines operate on statistical models of language. That's all.
Not logic, not fact bases, not reasoning.
I have one request for the Reminders app in macOS / iOS / iPadOS...
Sync tags between users on shared lists.
That's it.
That's the entire request.
That single enhancement would drastically increase its usability for group or team use.
Sync tags between users on shared lists.
That's it.
That's the entire request.
That single enhancement would drastically increase its usability for group or team use.
July 16, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I have one request for the Reminders app in macOS / iOS / iPadOS...
Sync tags between users on shared lists.
That's it.
That's the entire request.
That single enhancement would drastically increase its usability for group or team use.
Sync tags between users on shared lists.
That's it.
That's the entire request.
That single enhancement would drastically increase its usability for group or team use.
Stunned at the flooding in Chapel Hill, truly hoping everyone stays safe.
July 7, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Stunned at the flooding in Chapel Hill, truly hoping everyone stays safe.
Absolutely stunning.
Need more amazing astronomy pictures and science in your life? You can watch the live press conference about the Vera Rubin Observatory's first images here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF1g... #CaptureTheCosmos 🔭🧪
June 23, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Absolutely stunning.
A long-standing project that I had promised others is finally reaching the initial milestone.
That feels good. More as it gets through beta testing and can go public.
That feels good. More as it gets through beta testing and can go public.
June 19, 2025 at 7:55 AM
A long-standing project that I had promised others is finally reaching the initial milestone.
That feels good. More as it gets through beta testing and can go public.
That feels good. More as it gets through beta testing and can go public.
If an industry relies on breaking the law, (not to mention basic ethics of IP consent) wouldn't that be considered a criminal enterprise that *SHOULD* be eliminated?
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
www.theverge.com
May 27, 2025 at 3:43 AM
If an industry relies on breaking the law, (not to mention basic ethics of IP consent) wouldn't that be considered a criminal enterprise that *SHOULD* be eliminated?
Well, it finally happened.
Couldn't log in to employer laptop after upgrade. Called IT Support.
"Did you try rebooting it?"
Of course I didn't, it just rebooted, why would that...
Oh.
*sigh*
Yeah, had to be told to turn it off and on again.
Where do I file for early retirement?
Couldn't log in to employer laptop after upgrade. Called IT Support.
"Did you try rebooting it?"
Of course I didn't, it just rebooted, why would that...
Oh.
*sigh*
Yeah, had to be told to turn it off and on again.
Where do I file for early retirement?
May 21, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Well, it finally happened.
Couldn't log in to employer laptop after upgrade. Called IT Support.
"Did you try rebooting it?"
Of course I didn't, it just rebooted, why would that...
Oh.
*sigh*
Yeah, had to be told to turn it off and on again.
Where do I file for early retirement?
Couldn't log in to employer laptop after upgrade. Called IT Support.
"Did you try rebooting it?"
Of course I didn't, it just rebooted, why would that...
Oh.
*sigh*
Yeah, had to be told to turn it off and on again.
Where do I file for early retirement?
Seattle SIFF Cinema Downtown (neé Cinerama) chocolate popcorn with Cannon Beach Sleeping Monk coffee?
Breakfast of champions.
Breakfast of champions.
May 21, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Seattle SIFF Cinema Downtown (neé Cinerama) chocolate popcorn with Cannon Beach Sleeping Monk coffee?
Breakfast of champions.
Breakfast of champions.
Reposted by Jason McC. Smith
The comment period for this ends in 3 DAYS. Please leave a comment telling them EVERYONE should be able to get covid boosters.
www.regulations.gov/commenton/FD...
www.regulations.gov/commenton/FD...
May 20, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The comment period for this ends in 3 DAYS. Please leave a comment telling them EVERYONE should be able to get covid boosters.
www.regulations.gov/commenton/FD...
www.regulations.gov/commenton/FD...
My wife is severely immune compromised. She still qualifies for the vaccine.
I, sleeping next to her, now do not.
Our sons, living at home, now do not.
This is insane and is putting my wife at risk, but I can only surmise that is the point. There is no rational reason for this.
I, sleeping next to her, now do not.
Our sons, living at home, now do not.
This is insane and is putting my wife at risk, but I can only surmise that is the point. There is no rational reason for this.
If you don’t want to take the booster don’t. But to prevent adults from having the choice is depraved.
BREAKING: FDA says covid boosters now only for those over 65 or with preconditions. www.statnews.com/2025/05/20/f...
May 20, 2025 at 6:10 PM
My wife is severely immune compromised. She still qualifies for the vaccine.
I, sleeping next to her, now do not.
Our sons, living at home, now do not.
This is insane and is putting my wife at risk, but I can only surmise that is the point. There is no rational reason for this.
I, sleeping next to her, now do not.
Our sons, living at home, now do not.
This is insane and is putting my wife at risk, but I can only surmise that is the point. There is no rational reason for this.
GenAI can be a fantastic UX for natural language.
It is a *horrid* source of information or facts. Trust absolutely nothing of the content that comes out of it, no matter how convincing it may look.
Every output is a hallucination, some of them accidentally happen to align with reality.
It is a *horrid* source of information or facts. Trust absolutely nothing of the content that comes out of it, no matter how convincing it may look.
Every output is a hallucination, some of them accidentally happen to align with reality.
This was just posted by @tbretc.bsky.social on another platform. The Chicago Sun-Times obviously gets ChatGPT to write a ‘summer reads’ feature almost entirely made up of real authors but completely fake books. What are we coming to?
May 20, 2025 at 5:58 PM
GenAI can be a fantastic UX for natural language.
It is a *horrid* source of information or facts. Trust absolutely nothing of the content that comes out of it, no matter how convincing it may look.
Every output is a hallucination, some of them accidentally happen to align with reality.
It is a *horrid* source of information or facts. Trust absolutely nothing of the content that comes out of it, no matter how convincing it may look.
Every output is a hallucination, some of them accidentally happen to align with reality.
Forty five years ago, Mt. St. Helens erupted in my home state. I was a kid, but it left a deep impression. I was also a ginormous geology nerd, so I was following the details of the quakes, the bulging, and every event leading up to that morning. It was still unsettling for day to become night.
May 18, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Forty five years ago, Mt. St. Helens erupted in my home state. I was a kid, but it left a deep impression. I was also a ginormous geology nerd, so I was following the details of the quakes, the bulging, and every event leading up to that morning. It was still unsettling for day to become night.
After somehow being utterly ignorant of its very existence until just a couple of years ago, recently received my copy of the 4K UHD remastered _The Fall_ and watched it last night.
It did not disappoint. Truly stunning all around.
Hat tip to @steveburnett.bsky.social for the recommendation.
It did not disappoint. Truly stunning all around.
Hat tip to @steveburnett.bsky.social for the recommendation.
May 14, 2025 at 6:58 PM
After somehow being utterly ignorant of its very existence until just a couple of years ago, recently received my copy of the 4K UHD remastered _The Fall_ and watched it last night.
It did not disappoint. Truly stunning all around.
Hat tip to @steveburnett.bsky.social for the recommendation.
It did not disappoint. Truly stunning all around.
Hat tip to @steveburnett.bsky.social for the recommendation.
Most libraries have quiet rooms that you can reserve for free. It's an excellent office-away-from-the-office when you need a change of pace.
I'm at the library and I love it. You should go to the library.
May 1, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Most libraries have quiet rooms that you can reserve for free. It's an excellent office-away-from-the-office when you need a change of pace.
First time since this all started that I've been denied a Covid booster.
New protocol is annual, period, unless you are immune compromised.
I travel for work, and my wife is *very* immune compromised. I already isolate for several days after every trip, but that's not enough any more.
New protocol is annual, period, unless you are immune compromised.
I travel for work, and my wife is *very* immune compromised. I already isolate for several days after every trip, but that's not enough any more.
May 1, 2025 at 5:27 PM
First time since this all started that I've been denied a Covid booster.
New protocol is annual, period, unless you are immune compromised.
I travel for work, and my wife is *very* immune compromised. I already isolate for several days after every trip, but that's not enough any more.
New protocol is annual, period, unless you are immune compromised.
I travel for work, and my wife is *very* immune compromised. I already isolate for several days after every trip, but that's not enough any more.
Seattle area DMV for RealID application, 3 hr wait for walkins. 115 people in line when they opened at 8:30am.
Luckily I had an appointment and had the correct documentation.
Next available? June 24th.
Luckily I had an appointment and had the correct documentation.
Next available? June 24th.
April 23, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Seattle area DMV for RealID application, 3 hr wait for walkins. 115 people in line when they opened at 8:30am.
Luckily I had an appointment and had the correct documentation.
Next available? June 24th.
Luckily I had an appointment and had the correct documentation.
Next available? June 24th.
And this is extremely good news.
Planning to work around ignorant flailing is a key to success.
www.thecvefoundation.org
Planning to work around ignorant flailing is a key to success.
www.thecvefoundation.org
April 17, 2025 at 9:07 PM
And this is extremely good news.
Planning to work around ignorant flailing is a key to success.
www.thecvefoundation.org
Planning to work around ignorant flailing is a key to success.
www.thecvefoundation.org
Over here just finding bugs in Eclipse's parsing of that esoteric and extremely rare language known as...
*checks notes*
Markdown.
Snippet will crash out an editor pane when saved as .md file and opened.
*checks notes*
Markdown.
Snippet will crash out an editor pane when saved as .md file and opened.
April 16, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Over here just finding bugs in Eclipse's parsing of that esoteric and extremely rare language known as...
*checks notes*
Markdown.
Snippet will crash out an editor pane when saved as .md file and opened.
*checks notes*
Markdown.
Snippet will crash out an editor pane when saved as .md file and opened.
Well. That is extremely bad news.
Homeland Security funding for CVE program expires
: Because vulnerability management has nothing to do with national security, right?
www.theregister.com
April 16, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Well. That is extremely bad news.
It gets *BETTER*. After two months of The Blank Wall treatment, Citibank decided that akshually, I was responsible for the charges, and maybe I should take it up with the merchant?
Hertz's phone system is a joke. They never responded to multiple requests on their online customer service forms.
Hertz's phone system is a joke. They never responded to multiple requests on their online customer service forms.
It has not, in fact, gone better. Citibank is now at the ‘please print this letter, fill it out, and send it back to us via snail mail’ phase of dragging their heels on the most egregious charge that was for another Hertz customer entirely. Grr.
This is not accidental, this is by design.
I will not be renting from Hertz any longer, and I recommend others look elsewhere as well, they (hopefully) won't be in business much longer at this rate.
Now to start charge disputes with my credit card company, hopefully that goes better.
I will not be renting from Hertz any longer, and I recommend others look elsewhere as well, they (hopefully) won't be in business much longer at this rate.
Now to start charge disputes with my credit card company, hopefully that goes better.
April 4, 2025 at 11:30 PM
It gets *BETTER*. After two months of The Blank Wall treatment, Citibank decided that akshually, I was responsible for the charges, and maybe I should take it up with the merchant?
Hertz's phone system is a joke. They never responded to multiple requests on their online customer service forms.
Hertz's phone system is a joke. They never responded to multiple requests on their online customer service forms.
Scylla is pronounced sill-ah, not sky-lah.
I will die on this hill.
I will die on this hill.
April 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Scylla is pronounced sill-ah, not sky-lah.
I will die on this hill.
I will die on this hill.