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1 day ago
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There's an old parable about the little bird flying along in great weather. The sky darkens. The bird flies into a brewing storm. Things get colder. The wind picks up. Then it gets very cold and the little bird starts getting very scared.
The little bird is so cold, and gradually its wings stiffen and freeze. The poor little bird is terrified. It falls out of the sky, tumbling to the ground, knowing that these are its last moments in life.
Plop! The little bird lands in a freshly laid cowpile. The cowpile cushions the little birds fall. And the warmth of the cowpile defrosts the little birds wings.
The little bird starts feeling better. Its wings completely thaw and it snuggles up in the cowpile. The little bird can't believe its luck. Not only did the cowpile save its life, but it's a wonderful place to wait out the storm.
The little bird is so happy that it lets out a tweet, and a passing fox hears the tweet and snaps up the little bird for a tasty dinner on a cold stormy night.
The moral of the story is threefold:
1. When things seem dire, don't lose hope. There's always a way out.
2. Everything that looks like bullshit and smells like bullshit isn't necessarily worthless. In fact it may be exactly what you need.
3. When things are going really really well, shut the f up.
So my question to the community here on HN, with regards to AI is this: Are you, like me, adhering to the lessons of the little bird? I'm asking because I think a lot of us are shutting the f up about what is truly possible with AI.
It's as if we're in a race, and someone on the sidewalk is handing out Ferraris to those who know. When you get one, you immediately hit the gas and race as hard and fast as you possibly can to get as much of a lead in the race, before others discover the Ferrari guy and get one too.
You don't have to share. In fact I insist you don't. But I'd love to know that, among all the cynics, there are some number of us on HN who have seen, and understand, and are quietly racing as hard and fast as we can.
