Manton Reece
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  • Magnifica Humanitas

    I’ve read several big sections of Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas — magnificent humanity. The whole thing is essentially a book at 40k words. It’s fascinating and at times even great. Some of the most interesting parts of the text aren’t really about AI, but more about what it means to be human and to care for others.

    There is also a theme of concentrated power and who will control AI:

    In many cases within the digital context, control over platforms, infrastructure, data and computing power does not rest with States, but with major economic and technological actors. These entities effectively set the conditions for access, determine the rules of visibility and shape the very possibilities for participation. When such power is concentrated in the hands of a few, it tends to become opaque and evade public oversight, increasing the risk of distorted forms of development that give rise to new dependencies, exclusions, manipulations and inequalities.

    The encyclical also argues that we can’t accept better alignment without oversight:

    We cannot be satisfied with merely calling for the moralization of machines — the so-called “alignment” of AI with human values — without also having the courage to insist on a further condition: the possibility of openly discussing the ethical frameworks involved and subjecting them to shared standards of social justice. Otherwise, those who control AI will impose their own moral vision, which will become the invisible infrastructure of these systems. A more moral AI is not enough if that morality is determined by a few.

    I found it a little discomforting that the pope appeared alongside Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah, as if this was a political event where the most influential lobbyist was granted a privileged role in framing the discussion. It feels like something this significant should be above corporate needs and beyond current politics.

    If we are talking about decentralization, as I’ve blogged before OpenAI has attempted to do more with open models and broad access to their API. Anthropic worries so much about the ill effects of AI and yet they trust no one but themselves with the power, turning safety into a marketing pitch. It rings more and more hollow for me. Still, Anthropic clearly has people who are thinking deeply about what intelligence and consciousness mean, and I appreciate that.

    → 11:34 AM, May 27
    Also on Bluesky
  • Now that we have Inkwell 1.0 through app review, Apple doesn’t seem quite as picky. Hopefully. 🤞 They’ve approved 1.0.1 with some fixes and restoring the ability to save highlights in text. The plan is to roll out a couple more minor releases that bring the app forward to what we expected for 1.0.

    → 10:03 AM, May 27
    Also on Bluesky
  • At the beginning of the 4th quarter, I thought the Spurs might come back, but just not their night. Wish there were a couple days off before game 6. This series has been amazing but exhausting. 🏀

    → 10:18 PM, May 26
    Also on Bluesky
  • Wandering around Half Price Books yesterday, flipped to the current day in this reflections book, Sunset Gratitide. Good day for books, also stopped at First Light and picked up a copy of Homebound. 📚

    → 1:29 PM, May 26
    Also on Bluesky
  • The New York Times on Victor Wembanyama’s love of reading and its influence on San Antonio:

    Turquoise, pink and orange words mount an exhibit of books immediately noticeable when patrons walk into San Antonio’s Central Library, the bright red building in the middle of the city’s downtown: “Read Like Wemby.”

    Basketball and books are two of my favorite things. 📚

    → 10:20 AM, May 26
    Also on Bluesky
  • Did a little more research on the Utah data center, because the numbers seem unbelievable. But the scope really is that big, at least over time. Another missed opportunity to require investment in clean energy. And Kevin O’Leary is the perfect villain. I feel like he played himself in Marty Supreme.

    → 10:14 AM, May 26
    Also on Bluesky
  • Some folks are really nitpicking the Ferrari Luce. I think it looks really good. Nice details inside too. Perhaps we want to find fault in it because we can’t afford it. 🤪

    → 9:45 AM, May 26
    Also on Bluesky
  • Apple insisting on approving beta versions of iOS apps that are going to just a handful of people remains one of the dumbest possible things about the App Store. A waste of time for everyone. Likely makes apps worse because it discourages beta testing.

    → 1:16 PM, May 25
    Also on Bluesky
  • Working a little on our Strata app this morning. There were a few changes for Android in the queue, those should be out this week. Also the Liquid Glass update for iOS.

    → 11:52 AM, May 25
    Also on Bluesky
  • He blocks among us. 🏀

    Wemby is leaping to block a shot, with the text HE BLOCKS AMONG US around him.
    → 12:04 AM, May 25
    Also on Bluesky
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