The Grey Matter

The Grey Matter is a Substack that delves into a wide range of subjects, including the intricacies of voting systems, travel reflections, advancements in artificial intelligence, ethical dilemmas, innovation, and cultural analysis. It examines both current technological trends and historical perspectives, offering critical insights into societal impacts, policy, and the human condition.

Voting Systems Travel and Culture Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Morality Innovation and Regulation Societal Impacts Technology and Society Culture and Identity Environmental Issues Law and Society Science and Technology Economics and Industry

The hottest Substack posts of The Grey Matter

And their main takeaways

Book Review: Why Machines Will Never Rule the World

0 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Complex Systems Neural Networks
  1. The book emphasizes that machines will never rule the world, as AGI is fundamentally impossible due to computational limitations.
  2. The definitions of intelligence and machine intelligence play a crucial role in the argument against AGI.
  3. Language, context-dependence, and complex systems are central themes analyzed in the book to challenge the possibility of AGI.

Should We Take the Natural Suffering of Wild Animals Seriously?

0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 22
  1. There may be species that experience more suffering than pleasure in their lives.
  2. If a species suffers significantly, we should consider taking action to minimize it.
  3. Considering the natural suffering of wild animals seriously raises moral questions about intervention.

Why Couldn't We Have Had An Honest Conversation About COVID?

0 implied HN points • 21 Jul 21
  1. Public health institutions could have provided better guidance about COVID-19 masks early on
  2. The lab leak hypothesis for COVID-19 origin was dismissed without open discussion
  3. Media and experts assumed people were too \

Removing Your Own Appendix

0 implied HN points • 04 Apr 21
  1. Leonid Rogozov, a Soviet Arctic Explorer, removed his own appendix to stay alive.
  2. Robert Kerr McLaren, an Australian soldier in WWII, also removed his own appendix in 1944.
  3. Evan O'Neill Kane, an American physician, performed auto-appendectomy in 1921 to prove a point about anesthetics.

Barreling in Headfirst

0 implied HN points • 05 Mar 21
  1. Be deliberate and careful with integrating social media into our lives
  2. Consider the impact of a for-profit social media model versus a non-profit one
  3. Reflect on the need for setting guardrails on social media use to ensure healthy interactions
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Joe Manchin's WAR

0 implied HN points • 09 Mar 21
  1. Some media criticism of Joe Manchin may be misguided.
  2. We can think of politicians' impact in terms of wins above replacement like in baseball.
  3. Joe Manchin's impact on progressive policies may be more significant than perceived.

Favorite Quotes

0 implied HN points • 10 Feb 20
  1. Imagine others complexly
  2. The difference between theory and practice can be surprising
  3. Don't rely too much on adults; they may not understand the world

Can Science Guide Us Through COVID-19?

0 implied HN points • 22 May 20
  1. Good science can be slow but very impactful in the long run.
  2. During a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, we may need to rely on expert intuition and limited data for quick decisions.
  3. Public institutions should not wait for absolute scientific certainty to take necessary actions to save lives.

How Long Could a Mouse Live?

0 implied HN points • 06 Jun 21
  1. Lab mice have been essential in scientific experiments due to their rapid reproduction and high homology to humans.
  2. The average lifespan of a lab mouse is just over two years, with few living much beyond double that.
  3. Caloric restriction has been successful in increasing lifespans in animals, but the method may not be ideal for humans.

Prove It, Socialists

0 implied HN points • 03 Apr 21
  1. Challenge to socialist companies to prove their effectiveness in the economy.
  2. Questioning why there are not more visible socialist businesses in various sectors.
  3. Suggestion for socialists to move from talking to action in building successful companies.

Two Separate Worlds

0 implied HN points • 10 Oct 16
  1. There is a concern about people living in separate worlds with different versions of reality.
  2. The division between right and left perspectives is worrisome and must be addressed.
  3. It is crucial for citizens to find common ground and agree on fundamentals despite disagreements.

Status Quo Bias

0 implied HN points • 04 Mar 17
  1. People tend to prefer the current state of affairs over change, known as the status quo bias.
  2. Status quo bias can lead to resistance to change and hinder questioning of the current situation.
  3. It's important to challenge ourselves when we notice the status quo bias influencing our thoughts and actions.

Let's Get More Money in Politics

0 implied HN points • 02 Jan 10
  1. People often argue that there's too much money in politics, but is that really a bad thing?
  2. Instead of restricting spending, consider how much money is the right amount for elections.
  3. Increasing funding for elections could result in a more knowledgeable electorate and potentially better representatives.

AI Explainability Is About to Get Worse

0 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Neural Networks Language Models Training Data
  1. AI explainability for large language models like GPT models is becoming more challenging as these models advance.
  2. Examining the model, training data, and asking the model are the three main ways to understand these models' capabilities, each with its limitations.
  3. As AI capabilities advance, the urgency to develop better AI explainability techniques grows to keep pace with the evolving landscape.

Demystifying Model Space

0 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Training Ethics Models
  1. Understanding the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) involves thinking in terms of model space, a multidimensional representation of all possible configurations of a model's parameters.
  2. The vast model space for models like GPT-3 contains a wide range of possibilities, from promoting human flourishing to leading to catastrophe.
  3. The training process of models like GPT involves phases like next-word prediction and reinforcement learning through human feedback, where the model gradually moves through model space to improve its responses.

Assorted Thoughts on M3GAN

0 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
  1. Movie showcases the challenge of aligning AGI with human values
  2. Film oversimplifies the decision to abandon AGI development
  3. AGI development has complex implications and challenges involving various players like companies, governments, and open-source community

The Stateful Chinese Room

0 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🕹 Technology AI Language Models Understanding Learning Communication
  1. The Chinese Room thought experiment challenges the idea of computers having genuine understanding.
  2. Understanding involves more than just following rules, requiring a deep comprehension and application of knowledge.
  3. The Stateful Chinese Room concept suggests that AI models could potentially achieve genuine understanding through context and repeated exposure.

A Time When Trusting AI Matters

0 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Models Algorithms Ethics
  1. The Flint water crisis demonstrates the importance of trusting AI to address critical issues like identifying lead pipes.
  2. AI can significantly improve efficiency in tasks like predicting hazardous pipes, but it requires trust and acceptance from both authorities and the public.
  3. The decision to not fully utilize AI in the Flint water crisis led to inefficiencies, showing the balance needed between skepticism and the potential benefits of AI.

AI Risk Overview

0 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Existential Risk
  1. AI risk encompasses various issues like bias, discrimination, and privacy concerns.
  2. As AI advances, risks shift based on capability levels, from Weak AI to AGI to ASI.
  3. There's a concern about the weaponization of AI, especially autonomous weapons, and the potential existential threats posed by superintelligent AI.

Hit Job Journalism

0 implied HN points • 16 Mar 21
  1. Hit job journalism aims to discredit rather than inform.
  2. Deceptive framing and ad hominem attacks are common in hit job journalism.
  3. Hit pieces use guilt by association to create a negative impression without clear evidence.

Advances in Bridge (The Card Game)

0 implied HN points • 27 Sep 20
  1. The 'play' part of Bridge is still a challenging area for improvement
  2. Using double dummy analysis may be outdated for modern hardware and more efficient techniques could be explored
  3. Computer-generated bidding strategies could be optimized better by maximizing the use of all possible bids to increase efficiency

Colossal Liars

0 implied HN points • 29 Aug 20
  1. Some people can lie blatantly and still be respected and successful.
  2. Big lies can be more believable than small lies to certain audiences.
  3. Colossal lies can leave a lasting impact and make people doubt facts.

Do Lawyers Exist to Create More Lawyers?

0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 20
  1. Legal documents are intentionally made complex to create more demand for lawyers.
  2. Simple labeling requirements, like 'contains nuts', may not actually serve their intended purpose.
  3. Some legal conventions, like 'POSTED' on signs, might exist without a genuine need.

Interview with GPT-3 On Modern Architecture: Part I

0 implied HN points • 10 Oct 21
  1. Modern architecture prioritizes function over aesthetics
  2. Classical architecture focuses on beauty and symmetry based on human proportions
  3. The Baumol effect contributes to the cost and aesthetics of modern architecture

What Happened to Variance

0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 20
  1. Variance in approval ratings reflects the impact of a leader's actions on public perception.
  2. Lack of variance means public opinion remains unchanged regardless of events or actions.
  3. Consistent approval ratings may indicate a disconnect between real events and public perception.

All We Have Is Culture

0 implied HN points • 14 Aug 20
  1. Culture shapes us more than we realize.
  2. Genes alone don't determine our actions; culture plays a significant role.
  3. Institutions and norms are crucial to protecting and preserving culture.

Letter to a TSA Agent

0 implied HN points • 03 Oct 19
  1. The letter reflects on a TSA agent taking away peanut butter, questioning the impact on safety.
  2. The author wonders if the TSA agent questioned their role and purpose.
  3. The letter poses deeper questions about the motives behind security measures.