Post

I don't get how so many software folks cling to LLMs, like, I'm sorry but every time I've given them a try the result is dogshit. & I promise I'm not holding it wrong! Even excluding externalities, it's just not good at what it's sold to do! If you think it is, I worry about your judgement.

I have yet to see any LLM produce code that I would put my name on, even with editing and revision. I'm not gonna plate a turd and garnish it with fresh parsley and send it to the table with my god damn name on it. No way! & now I got haters because I don't wanna make literal shit!

I swear some of y'all sound like "soon it'll be normal for everyone to make and eat shit!" Okay! Have fun! Just please don't eat shit and then talk in my face!

& y'know, there's legitimately useful and interesting applications for LLMs, but god damn if it hasn't become the erstwhile hammer to every nail. The science is neat, the business is horrifically misleading, exploitative, and dangerous.

Gotta be honest that I’m having a blast with them. I think I’m often looking for “good enough”. And the domain matters. Doing a CRUD web front end to a simple database? They are really good IME. Doing some novel algorithm work? They kinda suck. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I keep an eye out and follow folks like you that are using and exploring. I get the allure of "make ui plz" but honestly if that was my use case ... I just wouldn't do that? lol. Like I wouldn't "waste" the tokens on it.

I do feel like they're useful for testing, exploration, and especially rote refactoring, but the "agentic" stuff is bananas to me.

I find them fun for prototyping. Both the "implement this weird idea so I can try it" and "no, make it different now" parts.

See I enjoy the actual building and prototyping myself.