The best explanation for why machines do so well on knowledge tests is because they have some knowledge. True belief is necessary for knowledge, at least. Beliefs are mental states. Ergo, machines have mental states.

Laird Barron's Patreon is live! dlvr.it/T5Ql4Q

two differently colored things that seem colored to you must also seem different to you

what about the first picture makes “fine-tuning” at all an apt description? what would the first picture look like if it were modified to instead illustrate *coarse tuning*?

If someone insists that I have failed to understand an argument because I haven’t read x book, then what they’ve actually said is they are unable or unwilling to articulate their position and wish to be rid of the burden of synthesizing thought by appealing to an authority.

So this is the explanation on how people with ADHD don’t miss people.

It affects their relationship with people and many don’t even know why they’re like that.
If you are not there physically, you don’t “exist”.

The most surprising thing about the closing of philosophy departments and the marginalization of the humanities is that debates about the analytic-continental divide persist. Good thing we are all focused on what matters. 🚢🧊💀

if the human brain can solve every problem, then what the hell is it waiting for? let’s go, human brain!: cancer, world peace, cold fusion, poverty, rude people

In this paper I switch the classical 'trolley problem' from its standard treatment as a third-person moral dilemma, into a phenomenological (qualia-based) analysis of the trolley as a 'lived experience' and how perspectivism helps dissolve the actual dilemma.

Pete Mandik

LLMs prove that cognition is not digital. Imagine trying to achieve the remarkable performance of LLMs using digital processing. Unthinkable

this overlooks that you get 100 theory points if you get a baby into the field goal

what does game theory say about drop kicking babies?

I learned my first language from Monolingo.

Sardonic philosophy twitter and earnest/enthusiastic philosophy twitter: if we join forces and rise up I truly believe we can defeat fine-tuning philosophy twitter

After a mini-hiatus, I once again have a new comic out, “You Have to Read the Primary Literature!” dailynous.com/2024/04/09/min…

You must read the primary literature.
New Mind Chunks by Pete Mandik! dailynous.com/2024/04/09/min…

To Rouse Leviathan by Matt Cardin explores bleak, existisitential, and philosophically dense places in our lives (or in our mindscapes) that are less of the raw, unfiltered, make-you-want-to-take-a-shower-afterward pessimism of Thomas Ligotti, and more of a... Zen variety.…

I snagged a pretty cool picture of the eclipse.