Chris
@christopherlopes.bsky.social
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Gall's Law: "A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked"
principles-wiki.net/principles:g...
principles-wiki.net/principles:g...
October 31, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Gall's Law: "A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked"
principles-wiki.net/principles:g...
principles-wiki.net/principles:g...
“You have 18 months” The real deadline isn’t when AI outsmarts us — it’s when we stop using our own minds.
www.theargumentmag.com/p/you-have-1...
My concern is that this will not be true equally.
short-thoughts.christopherlopes.com/blog/2025/re...
www.theargumentmag.com/p/you-have-1...
My concern is that this will not be true equally.
short-thoughts.christopherlopes.com/blog/2025/re...
October 6, 2025 at 2:16 AM
“You have 18 months” The real deadline isn’t when AI outsmarts us — it’s when we stop using our own minds.
www.theargumentmag.com/p/you-have-1...
My concern is that this will not be true equally.
short-thoughts.christopherlopes.com/blog/2025/re...
www.theargumentmag.com/p/you-have-1...
My concern is that this will not be true equally.
short-thoughts.christopherlopes.com/blog/2025/re...
For many years I've desired to improve my vocabulary. I've implemented various techniques and routines. Alas, none has taken hold. My latest attempt has been to inform AI of my objective and to take this into consideration when generating responses. So far I'm encouraged by the resulting behavior.
September 1, 2025 at 6:21 PM
For many years I've desired to improve my vocabulary. I've implemented various techniques and routines. Alas, none has taken hold. My latest attempt has been to inform AI of my objective and to take this into consideration when generating responses. So far I'm encouraged by the resulting behavior.
Martin Fowler shares this thought from Rebecca Parsons:
"...hallucinations aren’t a bug of LLMs, they are a feature. Indeed they are the feature. All an LLM does is produce hallucinations, it’s just that we find some of them useful."
martinfowler.com/articles/202...
"...hallucinations aren’t a bug of LLMs, they are a feature. Indeed they are the feature. All an LLM does is produce hallucinations, it’s just that we find some of them useful."
martinfowler.com/articles/202...
August 28, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Martin Fowler shares this thought from Rebecca Parsons:
"...hallucinations aren’t a bug of LLMs, they are a feature. Indeed they are the feature. All an LLM does is produce hallucinations, it’s just that we find some of them useful."
martinfowler.com/articles/202...
"...hallucinations aren’t a bug of LLMs, they are a feature. Indeed they are the feature. All an LLM does is produce hallucinations, it’s just that we find some of them useful."
martinfowler.com/articles/202...
Why is it that we craft our work so AI can understand but we do not do so for people?
It's like we have an expectation people should put forth the effort to understand, but AI has hard limitations, so we have to take extra steps for AI but can be lazy for others.
www.heavybit.com/library/podc...
It's like we have an expectation people should put forth the effort to understand, but AI has hard limitations, so we have to take extra steps for AI but can be lazy for others.
www.heavybit.com/library/podc...
O11ycast | Ep. #85, AI/LLM in Software Teams: What’s Working and What’s Next with Dr. Cat Hicks | Heavybit
In episode 85 of o11ycast, Dr. Cat Hicks unpacks AI’s impact on software teams from a psychological and social-science perspective.
www.heavybit.com
August 14, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Why is it that we craft our work so AI can understand but we do not do so for people?
It's like we have an expectation people should put forth the effort to understand, but AI has hard limitations, so we have to take extra steps for AI but can be lazy for others.
www.heavybit.com/library/podc...
It's like we have an expectation people should put forth the effort to understand, but AI has hard limitations, so we have to take extra steps for AI but can be lazy for others.
www.heavybit.com/library/podc...
"But what they cannot do is maintain clear mental models. LLMs get endlessly confused: they assume the code they wrote actually works... This is exactly the opposite of what I am looking for."
Insight on the difference of experience being reported
zed.dev/blog/why-llm...
Insight on the difference of experience being reported
zed.dev/blog/why-llm...
Why LLMs Can't Really Build Software - Zed Blog
From the Zed Blog: Writing code is only one part of effective software engineering.
zed.dev
August 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM
"But what they cannot do is maintain clear mental models. LLMs get endlessly confused: they assume the code they wrote actually works... This is exactly the opposite of what I am looking for."
Insight on the difference of experience being reported
zed.dev/blog/why-llm...
Insight on the difference of experience being reported
zed.dev/blog/why-llm...
Growing up it became inculcated within me that education is about not knowing or understanding something. But what I try to remember is that education is about learning.
One mindset produces fear and intimidation. The other exploration and insight.
One mindset produces fear and intimidation. The other exploration and insight.
August 11, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Growing up it became inculcated within me that education is about not knowing or understanding something. But what I try to remember is that education is about learning.
One mindset produces fear and intimidation. The other exploration and insight.
One mindset produces fear and intimidation. The other exploration and insight.
When using the new study mode in ChatGPT and asking about typing gotchas in Python its reply was:
"But for people used to strong, safe systems (like you), it can feel like trying to write a novel with crayons."
That's one for the quote wall!
"But for people used to strong, safe systems (like you), it can feel like trying to write a novel with crayons."
That's one for the quote wall!
July 30, 2025 at 5:48 AM
When using the new study mode in ChatGPT and asking about typing gotchas in Python its reply was:
"But for people used to strong, safe systems (like you), it can feel like trying to write a novel with crayons."
That's one for the quote wall!
"But for people used to strong, safe systems (like you), it can feel like trying to write a novel with crayons."
That's one for the quote wall!
Trying out Google's Opal opal.withgoogle.com/landing/
Even with AI it's still missing the mark on low code experiences. It seem inevitable low code will be figured out, but that day is not today.
Even with AI it's still missing the mark on low code experiences. It seem inevitable low code will be figured out, but that day is not today.
Welcome
opal.withgoogle.com
July 29, 2025 at 5:43 AM
Trying out Google's Opal opal.withgoogle.com/landing/
Even with AI it's still missing the mark on low code experiences. It seem inevitable low code will be figured out, but that day is not today.
Even with AI it's still missing the mark on low code experiences. It seem inevitable low code will be figured out, but that day is not today.
Sometimes I feel like this when trying to correct an AI response. I just can't stop until I convince the AI it is mistaken.
xkcd.com/386/
xkcd.com/386/
Duty Calls
xkcd.com
July 18, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Sometimes I feel like this when trying to correct an AI response. I just can't stop until I convince the AI it is mistaken.
xkcd.com/386/
xkcd.com/386/
Regarding AI agents: "They are basically a new programming control structure which can take English and point you to what to run next" Seth Juarez
July 3, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Regarding AI agents: "They are basically a new programming control structure which can take English and point you to what to run next" Seth Juarez
I'm not having much success with the Gemini CLI. Using an API key I initially received too many requests errors. Now I'm receiving "The model is overloaded" errors. When I use Gemini within IDE it takes a long time for it to reply.
July 2, 2025 at 6:40 PM
I'm not having much success with the Gemini CLI. Using an API key I initially received too many requests errors. Now I'm receiving "The model is overloaded" errors. When I use Gemini within IDE it takes a long time for it to reply.
Agreed simonwillison.net/2025/Jun/27/...
The practice of prompt engineering is important but the term has lacked rigor. Context engineering seems to better communicate the intricacies of crafting the input.
The practice of prompt engineering is important but the term has lacked rigor. Context engineering seems to better communicate the intricacies of crafting the input.
Context engineering
The term context engineering has recently started to gain traction as a better alternative to prompt engineering. I like it. I think this one may have sticking power. Here's an …
simonwillison.net
June 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Agreed simonwillison.net/2025/Jun/27/...
The practice of prompt engineering is important but the term has lacked rigor. Context engineering seems to better communicate the intricacies of crafting the input.
The practice of prompt engineering is important but the term has lacked rigor. Context engineering seems to better communicate the intricacies of crafting the input.
I now question if I need to bookmark webpages any longer. I spent a few minutes trying to find an article I recently read. No luck. I vaguely described it to o3. It thought for 1:34 and replied with the precise article.
June 22, 2025 at 4:18 AM
I now question if I need to bookmark webpages any longer. I spent a few minutes trying to find an article I recently read. No luck. I vaguely described it to o3. It thought for 1:34 and replied with the precise article.
Using coding AI agents is a skill. Agents in a loop can solve many problems where sometimes I find myself working with AI and being part of the loop, when an agent can have completed the task itself in a loop. Other times the agent needs human correction.
June 18, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Using coding AI agents is a skill. Agents in a loop can solve many problems where sometimes I find myself working with AI and being part of the loop, when an agent can have completed the task itself in a loop. Other times the agent needs human correction.
AI increases the set of people able to create software tools, but I fear most will not be be maintained. Previously it required a higher level of commitment to put something out there, thus weeding out those not committed to maintaining the tool. Now you can create without much commitment.
May 24, 2025 at 7:37 PM
AI increases the set of people able to create software tools, but I fear most will not be be maintained. Previously it required a higher level of commitment to put something out there, thus weeding out those not committed to maintaining the tool. Now you can create without much commitment.
All of these instances of lawyers including AI generated mistakes makes me wonder about the thoroughness of their other work, a field which I thought was all about details, at least it seems that way based on whenever legal documents come my way.
May 20, 2025 at 3:43 AM
All of these instances of lawyers including AI generated mistakes makes me wonder about the thoroughness of their other work, a field which I thought was all about details, at least it seems that way based on whenever legal documents come my way.
Reports of AI usage likes this remind me of my experience learning math in school. I had the appearance of excelling but I didn't understand concepts, I could only apply procedures in context. Once I stepped outside of that artificial world I was lost.
albertofortin.com/writing/codi...
albertofortin.com/writing/codi...
After months of coding with LLMs, I'm going back to using my brain • albertofortin.com
I've been building MVPs and SaaS products for 15 years. Let's work together on your next project.
albertofortin.com
May 16, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Reports of AI usage likes this remind me of my experience learning math in school. I had the appearance of excelling but I didn't understand concepts, I could only apply procedures in context. Once I stepped outside of that artificial world I was lost.
albertofortin.com/writing/codi...
albertofortin.com/writing/codi...
"But there was also a lesson about the raw power of personality. Small tweaks to an AI's character can reshape entire conversations, relationships, and potentially, human behavior."
www.oneusefulthing.org/p/personalit...
www.oneusefulthing.org/p/personalit...
Personality and Persuasion
Learning from Sycophants
www.oneusefulthing.org
May 4, 2025 at 8:08 PM
"But there was also a lesson about the raw power of personality. Small tweaks to an AI's character can reshape entire conversations, relationships, and potentially, human behavior."
www.oneusefulthing.org/p/personalit...
www.oneusefulthing.org/p/personalit...
text-incubation.com/AI+code+is+l...
"Software evolves more rapidly under the maintenance of its original creator, and in proportion to how recently it was written."
"Software evolves more rapidly under the maintenance of its original creator, and in proportion to how recently it was written."
AI code is legacy code from day one - Text Incubation
It seems like there are a few stages in the life of a codebase (and/or parts of it), that dictate its likelihood of deep improvement. 1. When something is new, and you’re the one who built it: “Oh ye…
text-incubation.com
May 4, 2025 at 7:37 PM
text-incubation.com/AI+code+is+l...
"Software evolves more rapidly under the maintenance of its original creator, and in proportion to how recently it was written."
"Software evolves more rapidly under the maintenance of its original creator, and in proportion to how recently it was written."
Humans like to create, thrive on it. In one sense AI enables more humans to create more things. On the other hand AI robs what many of us consider the part of the process which gives us joy in creation, leaving us the portions we consider drudgery.
worksonmymachine.substack.com/p/the-coming...
worksonmymachine.substack.com/p/the-coming...
The Coming Knowledge-Work Supply-Chain Crisis
"Humans. Here they are. Bottleneck, bottleneck. Hi, good to see you. And some of you are terrified. You're going to be even bigger bottlenecks." - Tyler Cowen
worksonmymachine.substack.com
April 28, 2025 at 3:27 AM
Humans like to create, thrive on it. In one sense AI enables more humans to create more things. On the other hand AI robs what many of us consider the part of the process which gives us joy in creation, leaving us the portions we consider drudgery.
worksonmymachine.substack.com/p/the-coming...
worksonmymachine.substack.com/p/the-coming...
What to make of normalizing "cheating". They're getting attention. So success? But what happens to society by labeling AI usage as cheating. To redefining what cheating means. The consequences of playing with morality is severe.
cluely.com/manifesto
cluely.com/manifesto
Manifesto - Cluely
Take the short way.
cluely.com
April 23, 2025 at 4:37 AM
What to make of normalizing "cheating". They're getting attention. So success? But what happens to society by labeling AI usage as cheating. To redefining what cheating means. The consequences of playing with morality is severe.
cluely.com/manifesto
cluely.com/manifesto
I'm extremely thrilled to see how quickly the semantic kernel team is adding support to new protocols from other orgs. First MCP and now also working on agent2agent.
devblogs.microsoft.com/semantic-ker...
devblogs.microsoft.com/semantic-ker...
Integrating Semantic Kernel Python with Google's A2A Protocol | Semantic Kernel
Google’s Agent-to-Agent (A2A) protocol is designed to enable seamless interoperability among diverse AI agents. Microsoft’s Semantic Kernel (SK), an open-source platform for orchestrating intelligent ...
devblogs.microsoft.com
April 23, 2025 at 4:15 AM
I'm extremely thrilled to see how quickly the semantic kernel team is adding support to new protocols from other orgs. First MCP and now also working on agent2agent.
devblogs.microsoft.com/semantic-ker...
devblogs.microsoft.com/semantic-ker...
Add MCP Servers in .NET youtu.be/MKD-sCZWpZQ?...
The nice bits about the video is not build the server itself, that's pretty standard, but how to use it in VS Code and publish it to docker.
Everything is StdIO though. I'm waiting to say how MCP shakes out with SSE.
The nice bits about the video is not build the server itself, that's pretty standard, but how to use it in VS Code and publish it to docker.
Everything is StdIO though. I'm waiting to say how MCP shakes out with SSE.
Let's Build & Deploy a MCP Server with C# | Beginner's Guide
YouTube video by James Montemagno
youtu.be
April 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Add MCP Servers in .NET youtu.be/MKD-sCZWpZQ?...
The nice bits about the video is not build the server itself, that's pretty standard, but how to use it in VS Code and publish it to docker.
Everything is StdIO though. I'm waiting to say how MCP shakes out with SSE.
The nice bits about the video is not build the server itself, that's pretty standard, but how to use it in VS Code and publish it to docker.
Everything is StdIO though. I'm waiting to say how MCP shakes out with SSE.
VS Code now has comparable AI features to other modern editors. youtu.be/dutyOc_cAEU?...
It was only a matter of time. It's beneficial to me, but I welcome the editor competition, and so I hope it continues.
It was only a matter of time. It's beneficial to me, but I welcome the editor competition, and so I hope it continues.
VS Code Agent Mode Just Changed Everything
YouTube video by Visual Studio Code
youtu.be
April 13, 2025 at 5:13 AM
VS Code now has comparable AI features to other modern editors. youtu.be/dutyOc_cAEU?...
It was only a matter of time. It's beneficial to me, but I welcome the editor competition, and so I hope it continues.
It was only a matter of time. It's beneficial to me, but I welcome the editor competition, and so I hope it continues.