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Reposted by José Marichal

Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 18h

“But biases in this underlying training data can be one reason why AIs are more agreeable, said [CDT's Amy Winecoff]. While the entirety of the internet might not be agreeable, it does reflect our human preferences, along with our linguistic and syntax patterns.”

The Hidden Dangers of the Digital 'Yes Man': How to Push Back Against Sycophantic AI

AI like ChatGPT and Gemini tend to agree with our worst ideas. It's a bigger problem than you may think.

www.cnet.com

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 1d

Wait until they get their hands on AI Slop generators 🙄

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 1d

Thank you!

José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 3d

I was interviwed for this article on deepfake AI for @spiegel.de While I don't speak German, this translation of the title into English kinda makes me wish I did :)

www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/dee...

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 5d

So this is "no one is watching broadcast news, let's grab the edgy 'based' podcast audience" Maybe this is astute from a corporate perspective, but how big is that pie?

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 5d

Truth is those in the trades often make as much as college professors.

José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 5d

At some point Dem politicians should try talking directly to those who voted against them and claim that they are "insulting their intelligence"

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 5d

I think this is right. for my entire life (maybe since Carter), if you're the party defending the status quo, you lose. I'm not sure how the Democratic party thinks it can continue to be the party of "everyting is fine, we just need a few tweaks" and stay relevant.

Opinion | Democrats Are in Crisis. Eat-the-Rich Populism Is the Only Answer.

www.nytimes.com

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 6d

I came in to reading this review with a lot of skepticism about their central claims. But I do think the development and deployment of autonomous AI agents raises the existential stakes.

The Guardian @theguardian.com · 16d

If Anyone Builds it, Everyone Dies review – how AI could kill us all

If machines become superintelligent we’re toast, say Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares. Should we believe them?

www.theguardian.com

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 7d

Listening to MF Doom raises so many questions. Like:

When did they give Dan Akroyd his own dance?

music.youtube.com/watch?v=pCRj...

Vaudeville Villain

YouTube video by MF DOOM - Topic

music.youtube.com

José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 7d

"capitalism without democracy" is promising to have more purchase than I thought it might

Reposted by José Marichal

José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 7d

I was interviewed for this AP article on the effects of OpenAI's new Sora app on discourse:

"we either become super, super skeptical of everything or we become super certain.. either the manipulated or the manipulators .. that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy"

OpenAI's Sora joins Meta in pushing AI-generated videos. Some are worried about a flood of 'AI slop'

OpenAI has launched a new social media app called Sora, aiming to capture the audience of short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

apnews.com

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 7d

Agree ... I feel like the app takes it to a whole new level. It's turbocharging the production of slop.

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 7d

I was interviewed for this AP article on the effects of OpenAI's new Sora app on discourse:

"we either become super, super skeptical of everything or we become super certain.. either the manipulated or the manipulators .. that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy"

OpenAI's Sora joins Meta in pushing AI-generated videos. Some are worried about a flood of 'AI slop'

OpenAI has launched a new social media app called Sora, aiming to capture the audience of short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

apnews.com

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 7d

Great stuff! I'm symapthetic to Klein acting in the liberal tradition of trying to find an "overlapping consensus" with adversaries, but they have to be acting in good faith.. otherwise you're not playing the same game. And some things are "non-negotiables" even in a liberal framework.

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 7d

The publisher copies have arrived from @brisunipress.bsky.social ... it's a real book now!!

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 8d

This is a grim read

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 8d

I think of Vance saying it doesn't matter if the "eating cats and dogs" slander is true or not, we're going to keep saying it as BS instead of lying?

José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 8d

Wow! I mean probably not a bad education.. you definitely know your way around spontaneous orders and signaling mechanisms :)

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 8d

Reading Quinn Slobodian's brilliant "Crack-Up Capitalism" where he describes Milton Friedman extolling Hong Kong as an example of "capitalism without democracy" on his PBS show... and I found it!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqh0...

Milton Friedman Describes Hong Kong as an Example of the Free Market System

YouTube video by Common Sense Capitalism

www.youtube.com

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 8d

that what Harry Frankfurt called BS... different than the typical lying politicians do... my friend @aaronhere.bsky.social clued me into the distinction.

press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...

On Bullshit

Over one million copies sold worldwideThe international and #1 New York Times bestsellerThe anniversary edition of the acclaimed book that reveals why bullshit is more dangerous than lying

press.princeton.edu

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 8d

I mean, having said that, all politicians lie. I really like a book by Martin Jay on "The Virtues of Mendacity".. but even he'd say there are limits and and Harry Frankfurt noted, there is a distinct difference between BS and lying.

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 8d

I like to use a lot of words when one will do :)

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 8d

We need to return to the idea that offering logical fallacies in public argumentation is a lack of respect and charity, not only to your opponents, but your supporters.

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 8d

JD Vance blames "Biden policies" for rural hospitals shutting down in September 2025

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José Marichal @josemarichal.bsky.social · 8d

This is going to be a real world test of whether it's the autonomy given the academy in a liberal society that produces innovation or whether researchers can still innovate under conditions of constrained speech.

www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

White House considers funding advantage for colleges that align with Trump policies

The proposal has the potential to transform the government’s vast research funding operation, which has long awarded university grants based on scientific merit.

www.washingtonpost.com

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