this post was submitted on 25 Dec 2023
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Yeah, and these days “literally” means “figuratively” whether I like it or not. Find a different hill to die on.
That is completely and utterly a separate issue. These aren't words being changed over time. These are words being directly misapplied by morons, NOT for any ironic effect.
People mean it when they "misuse" literally. People who misuse AI don't know what AI is. This is a technical term being misused. Not a normal word being redefined.
For a different word, "narcissism" DOES NOT magically mean, "a mean person" just because morons misuse a technical term. Stop being a piece of shit that wants to sound smart and start using terms correctly or not at all.
I just think you seem way more angry about this than you should be. It’s not really something to pop a blood vessel over. And “literally” becoming “figuratively” was also because of the misuse by morons. The fact one is a technical term is irrelevant. The not-as-educated masses water down language, particularly “technical” language because of course the general public aren’t going to know the nuances. But it’s not like most of them are talking about any of this stuff on a level where those nuances matter. Referring to the general field of “computers kinda thinking like people” as AI gets the point across for them, and it’s not hurting you. So chill.
Notice how OP was speaking about more than "AI".
I did notice, and my point still stands.
Notice how the person you replied to never once mentioned AI, and was talking in pretty broad terms.
You're describing jargon vs colloquial use. If you're talking to your engineer buddy, yeah, use the terms properly or be prepared to offer clarification, because in that context it's pretty important. If you're talking to a psychiatrist, same thing for narcissist.
When it comes to general public, people will use words however they're most commonly used, and that's perfectly fine. The average person doesn't know, can't be expected to learn, and has no use for knowing the definition of jargon that's outside of their day-to-day use.
If the use of colloquial terms is causing you or someone else confusion or losing clarity, ask clarifying questions. That's how professionals or just more knowledgeable people on the subject in general, have had to interface with the average person for like... How long have we had language?