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Comment by CaliforniaKarl | Hacker News Reader

I was considering posting this here, but I worry that it will trigger most of the folks who frequent this site, leading to more flamewars than valuable discussion.

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Not for me. I watch a lot of the channel's content but used to the tech deep dives and historical context. This is a different kind of video--not my cup of tea. I only wish it didn't group things under "algorithms" as I'd expect the channel's viewers to be better informed. It does say "feed algorithm" later, but then also mentions LLM chatbots which have algorithms for training and evaluation, but that's not what makes the output--it's the model weights which is definitely not an algorithm.

I think Alec's use of "Algorithm" here is fair - in the overarching sense, this is about letting a machine pick what content we engage with instead of actively seeking out and choosing things. And, pedantically, an algorithm is defined as

> Algorithm: a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.

I think that taking model weights and applying them input vectors following a sequence of steps to produce an output is absolutely an algorithm.

Funnily enough, I saw this video here before I saw it on YouTube even though I have been following Technology Connections for some time. I myself don't use the subscription feed often, because letting YouTube supply intellectual junk-food is easier than foraging for good information. Just like drinking a can of coke is easier than cooking a healthy meal.

I think in popular parlance "algorithm" has become an allegory to this nebulous entity who directs and influences our life. Alec is probably aware of the correct usage of the word algorithm but if you want to reach a broad audience without having to delve deep into details and long winded explanations I guess it's fine to use the popular meaning.

The whole channel is about long-winded explanations, LOL.

Yeah, but he apparently decided (and correctly so, IMO) that this explanation was long-winded enough without that added long-winded sub-explanation.

Combining the user input with the model weights to produce the output is still an algorithm.

If you're going to engage in pedantry, at least be technically correct.

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