We reached inverse hype: where the folks jaded by hype are so jaded that they start to hype the same low value content they normally deride... as long as it speaks counter to any hyped topic.
Ironically, that technique usually pans out since a lot of useless fads get hyped. But every once in a while it causes people to completely and utterly miss the point.
I call it “SchadenFraud”: reveling in and playing up every little negative thing that happens in the AI world to make it look like it’s all just hype and will come crashing down any moment now.
At one point the hype truly was overwhelming (maybe it only appears less so these days because a lot of it seems justified now) and needed some counterbalance, but this is not it. We need balanced expert perspectives grounded in evidence.
Instead we get get TFA and other similar content from the usual suspects (you know who they are) largely because they’re building their careers on very loudly telling people what they want to hear, which may not be what they need to hear.
This is not harmless, because it gives folks the hope that things have not irrevocably changed and will soon go back to normal after the bubble pops. Personally, I’d rather get a stark but realistic picture of what’s happening now so I can prepare better for the future.
Ironically, that technique usually pans out since a lot of useless fads get hyped. But every once in a while it causes people to completely and utterly miss the point.