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Language Models Are About People

Language Models Are About People

I like to tell people that everything an LLM says is actually a hallucination. Some of the hallucinations just happen to be true because of the statistics of language and the way we use language.

This is such an astute observation by Melanie Mitchell.

Large Language Models (LLMs) are a statistical model. So are models for the weather, or for star formation. But most laypersons, like myself are not enthralled by them because they are domain specific models requiring expertise to use.

The main reason large language models appeal to laypersons, such as myself is that they are a language model, and we’ve been utilizing languages all our lives. The way language influences thought, and thereby social interactions, makes these models so much more about people and society.

That’s incredibly more relevant, and deserves every bit more scrutiny, than a weather model telling me that I might see some clouds today if I even bother to look up.

A colorful Ferris wheel with bright red, green, and yellow supports is set up next to a river. There is a “FUNtastic” sign on the Ferris wheel and a matching trailer nearby. Trees and a grassy area are visible around it.

An urban riverside scene with a carnival in progress. The image showcases a Ferris wheel, various colorful tents, and carnival rides, partially obscured by large trees. A calm river runs in the foreground, with a concrete embankment, and a tall building in the background. The sky is mostly cloudy.

Portland, Oregon. 25th May, 2024.

📷 Hasselblad 500C/M
🎞️ Kodak Portra 160

A person sits on wooden steps next to a railing, facing a wooden deck and a body of water. A fishing rod is seen propped against the railing. The scene is lit by warm sunlight.

Astoria, Oregon. 18th June, 2024.

I didn’t discover the joys of peanut butter, and in fact I hardly ever ate it, until I was in my 40s. AMA.

Reflection of a roadway and a cloudy sky in calm water highlighted by the rising Sun.

Portland, Oregon. 9th June, 2024.

A woman wearing a baseball cap stands in the middle of a blooming field filled with pink peonies. There are trees in the background and a cloudy sky overhead.

A man stands in a field of vibrant red peonies. The sky above is cloudy, and there are trees in the background.

Salem, Oregon. 19th May, 2024.

📷 Hasselblad 500C/M
🎞️ Kodak Portra 160

A person is taking a self-portrait through a reflective window using a camera. They are wearing a light-colored hoodie and glasses, and a colorful, floral pattern is visible on the fabric behind them. The background shows a blurred outdoor scene with greenery.

Hi.

📷 Hasselblad 500C/M
🎞️ Kodak Portra 160

A small potted succulent sits on a windowsill with soft sunlight filtering through a lowered window blind. The focus is on the plant, with the background gently blurred. The scene has a calm and serene atmosphere.

Officemate. 7th June, 2024.

A dimly-lit, cozy interior of a bar with vintage chairs and tables. Soft light filters through large windows, enhancing the warm ambiance. Green hanging lamps illuminate parts of the room. A soft glow from small candles on the tables adds to the intimate feeling.

Golden hour bar. Decibel Sound & Drink, Milwaukie, Oregon. 6th June, 2024.

A wooden table with a vintage camera, a hat, a plate with a sandwich, a coffee cup with a latte art, two film camera accessories, an exposed film roll, and a small wrapped film roll, in a cafe setting.

Favorite kind of morning. Breakfast sando and cappuccino after catching the rising Sun.