AI isn’t a scam, but damn, most of the businesses surrounding it sure are.
this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2024
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the problem is aleays some person in marketing who tries to follow trends. For a good laugh, watch Derbauers recent video from computex about AI products and how many "AI" products were at the show.
Found it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45CvTHmt_dI
This is why I prefer it when people specify what kind of "AI" they're talking about rather than just saying "AI" as a buzzword. I definitely agree with Derbauer here... this is painful.
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It may not be a scam per se, but it certainly is a misnomer at this point... it's one of those words (like "enterprise" or "pro") that have been appropriated by marketing and devoided of any meaning. AI as a word will gradually die while people gradually realize it doesn't mean anything. Marketing consumes words (and people too).
"AI is whatever hasn't been done yet."
AI does mean something, but it’s quite disappointing.
Even mundane algorithms like A* pathfinding are technically under the umbrella of Artificial Intelligence. However the public’s perception of what AI means constantly shifts to be “whatever computers can’t do today”.
While pro has been misused a lot, I feel like it still has it's original meaning at least with people, if not in marketing. That is, that if you're a pro, you're earning money doing the thing.
Omg, i almost clicked on a ltt video. That was fucking close
What's the problem with ltt?
I used AI to do a quick summary, hope it highlights why people feel negatively about LTT
Over the past year, the YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips (LTT) has faced significant controversy and negative feedback from viewers, primarily centered around workplace issues and allegations of misconduct.
Negative Feedback from Viewers:
- Content and Business Practices: There has been criticism regarding the quality and accuracy of LTT’s content. Some viewers and other tech channels, such as Gamers Nexus, have pointed out errors and misleading information in LTT’s videos【1】【2】.
- Market Expansion: LTT's attempts to expand into new markets and increase viewer growth have also been scrutinized. Some critics believe these moves have compromised the channel's integrity and focus【3】.
Sexual Harassment Case:
- Allegations: There were serious allegations of sexual harassment, bullying, abuse of power, and retaliation within the LTT workplace. These claims painted a picture of a toxic work environment【4】【5】.
- Response and Investigation: LTT conducted an investigation through a third-party law firm, which concluded that the allegations were not substantiated. However, the handling of the situation, including the dismissal of the claims, has left some employees and viewers dissatisfied【6】【7】.
Overall, the combination of these issues has led to a turbulent year for Linus Tech Tips, impacting its reputation and viewer trust.
[1] Linus Tech Tips Drama Explained - YouTube
[2] Linus Tech Tips - Gamers Nexus controversy | ISPreview UK Forum
[3] The recent criticism of Linus Tech Tips, explained - Reddit
[4] Linus Tech Tips Drama just got SO MUCH WORSE! #ltt - YouTube
[5] Summary of The Deserved Downfall of LinusTechTips
[6] YouTube Channel Linus Tech Tips Says Sexual Harassment ...
[7] Alleged harassment and bullying at Linus Tech Tips 'not ... - PC Gamer
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
Linus Tech Tips Drama Explained - YouTube
Linus Tech Tips Drama just got SO MUCH WORSE! #ltt - YouTube
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I'm open-source; check me out at GitHub.
I recently discovered that he believes it's theft if you watch one of his videos with an adblocker. Just out of spite, sometimes I put one of his videos on in the background (muted) with an adblocker.
It was a little more nuanced than that, but yeah. It was more like "realize the potential consequences of your actions" in regard to ad block and piracy and not "you're a thief stealing from me specifically."
Nuance? On my internet?
You are totally correct. This is one of the first mainstream publications I've seen really explain to people what "AI" is and what it isn't. Good to see this kind of content.
And it's pretty consistent for Linus too. He's been making this rant on WAN show since ChatGPT started gaining traction
Great video, he breaks everything down really well...
I might have to start linking to this video rather than trying explain what AI is vs what AI isn't to those who like to make general statements like "AI is a scam!".
Tangential fun fact:
Snake oil is a real thing, that actually helps with the some very specific problems. But it has to be made a specific way from a specific snake. We associate the term with scams because of the large number of scammers that advertised fake snake oils, or advertised it being useful for tons if things it wasn't.
My point is, many of the most effective scams rely on something that has a kernel of truth.
@nix @QuadratureSurfer A lot of alt-med and quackery is like that. They latch on to a single term or phrase or thing from actual scientific medicine, use it differently, and make absurd weird claims about what can be done from there.
Imagine being in that line of work and having to tell people you're a "snake oil salesman."
Emily wrote this one and you can tell she was on fire. Really good video.
Did they ever do anything about that thing they reviewed the wrong product and just ran it down?
Edit: tube to thing
What?
They were supposed to be reviewing a video card or video card cooler or something and they used the wrong model, said it didn’t work, and then kept and sold the thing if iirc
The Billet Labs prototype water block being so poorly handled was a consequence of them growing too big for Linus to manage; he hadn't internalized that they weren't six guys working out of a house anymore, but a proper medium sized business that didn't need to strain for every bit of content to keep from going under, and could afford to slow down a little to get things right. They ended up taking a break from the constant grind to reorganize after GamersNexus put out a big piece on all the things LTT was doing wrong, all the sacrifices they were making to quality and accuracy for the sake of pushing out more and more content to stay relevant, and how badly they mishandled the prototype.
Not sure Linus has forgiven GN for the "hit piece" but I think they really needed the shock of it in order to get them to actually course correct immediately rather than keep putting it off.
I only know bad things about them, I knew the name before that, but I thought it was a Linux thing until the excrement hit the air circulation device
If I arrange rocks in the desert to represent the math being done for calculating thought, can the rocks experience? No, but I can, and arranging rocks is a shitty experience.
You are all the rocks.
Overall a good watch, but his continuous reaching under the table is a bit awkward lol.
Chatgpt... please summarize the Gartner hype cycle for a 5 year old
You lie? You are all bugs.
I'm out here living my comfy carpenter bee life eating wood and other shit
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
https://piped.video/nGIpdiQrFDU
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
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Insert scooby doo meme: bad guy marketing Cloud wearing a AI mask