MurphyA/hacker-news huggingface dataset:
by sham1 | 2025-05-07 13:07:52+00:00
There should be a way to have the function/method document what sort of stuff can go wrong, and what kinds of exceptions you can get out of it.

It could be some kind of an exception check thing, where you would either have to make sure that you handle the error locally somehow, or propagate it upwards. Sadly programming is not ready for such ideas yet.

---

I jest, but this is exactly what checked exceptions are for. And the irony of stuff like Rust's use of `Result<T, E>` and similarly ML-ey stuff is that in practice they end up with what are essentially just checked exceptions, except with the error type information being somewhere else.

Of course, people might argue that checked exceptions suck because they've seen the way Java has handled them, but like... that's Java. And I'm sorry, but Java isn't the definition of how checked exceptions can work. But because of Java having "tainted" the idea, it's not explored any further, because we instead just assume that it's bad by construction and then end up doing the same thing anyway, only slightly different.
Show HN: Tascli, a simple, fast, small, local activity tracker in CLI
by Aperocky | 2025-05-07 13:07:57+00:00
I've created tascli to solve a need of simple activity tracker including task and record in local CLI. It's available via cargo and brew tap.

It's simple, the API is minimal and without complex usage patterns.

It supports both task and records and treat them separately (task have deadlines, records are point in time)

It doesn't run any background processes.

It is small (compiled sizes <2MB)

It is fast (<5ms on each command on a normal computer/github workflow host).

It stores activities into a local sqlite db file.

Looking for new features requests too!
by llm_nerd | 2025-05-07 13:08:04+00:00
>the Ukrainian government warned everyone the invasion was really going to happen

Quite contrary, the Ukrainian government was publicly saying that it was all bluffing.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60174684

Zelensky repeatedly said that the West was creating a panic. Ukraine's repelling of the attack was heroic and legendary, but the truth is that if it wasn't for the astonishing incompetence of the Russian assault, where there was a massive traffic jam almost all the way from Belarus to Kyiv, it really would have been a quickly conquered nation.

>and the Russian government warned everyone the invasion was really going to happen

But they didn't. Russia kept portraying the build-up as drills with Belarus.

https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-crisis-putin-says-militar...

Western intelligence predicted Russia's plans perfectly, but a lot of people were very in denial about it.
by bitmasher9 | 2025-05-07 13:08:55+00:00
I think one major aspect of friendship is the random reward (similar to a casino). In any given social interaction the outcome could be extremely negative to extremely positive. While a good friend will heavily skew positive, there is still a range of outcomes.

Humans can have this range of social outcomes naturally because all parties are constantly in different moods. Sometimes humans careful choose their social behavior to manipulate others, and this is generally frowned upon. A machine cannot have a wide range of social rewards without being manipulative.
by matheusmoreira | 2025-05-07 13:08:58+00:00
Open source is just the transfer of property and capital from well meaning developers straight into the pockets of corporations and billionaires. Developers are well advised to always apply the AGPLv3 to everything they make. It's either AGPLv3 or all rights reserved, everything in between makes no sense.

https://zedshaw.com/blog/2022-02-05-the-beggar-barons/

> To the Beggar Baron, open source's value is its free donation.

> You would never stand on the street and offer to buy the wallets off people who are about to donate a few dollars to you.

> That'd be stupid. They're giving you their money for free. Take it and run.
by apical_dendrite | 2025-05-07 13:09:01+00:00
Why bother with all the stress and risk of a relationship with a real human when you can have a virtual relationship with someone who is always available and can be tweaked to meet your exact specifications?

I suspect history will see Meta the same way it sees Purdue Pharma - their greed allowed them to convince themselves they were providing something good for the world, while they were actually creating something enormously harmful.
by volkk | 2025-05-07 13:10:06+00:00
Zed is exactly how software should be made. Granted, I don't agree with all of their UX decisions (i think the AI panel is really bad compared to Cursor's), but good lord is the thing fast. These guys are the real deal. They built a rendering system (GPUI) in Rust before building Zed on top of it, and so it is one of the fastest (if not the fastest) pieces of software that resides on my computer. I can't wait until GPUI becomes a bit more mature/stable so I can build on top of it, because the other Rust GUI libraries/frameworks aren't great.

edit: they updated the AI panel! looking good!
by cmiles74 | 2025-05-07 13:10:11+00:00
Okay, I read the paper. I see what they are saying but I strongly disagree that the model is "thinking". They have highlighted that relationships between words is complicated, which we already knew. They also point out that some words are related to other words which are related to other words which, again, we already knew. Lastly they used their model (not Claude) to change the weights associated with some words, thus changing the output to meet their predictions, which I agree is very interesting.

Interpreting the relationship between words as "multi-hop reasoning" is more about changing the words we use to talk about things and less about fundamental changes in the way LLMs work. It's still doing the same thing it did two years ago (although much faster and better). It's guessing the next token.
by ajb | 2025-05-07 13:10:55+00:00
To a rich person, anyone who interacts with them is likely to be after their money. So from his point of view, LLMs are actually conversation partners who he knows aren't seeing him as a rich person, and so may actually feel more trustworthy than real people.

Of course, this is entirely in conflict with the fact that he will be training LLMs to extract everyone else's money. But emotions aren't logical.
by ixau | 2025-05-07 13:11:03+00:00
I think he's on to something big here. People are getting more and more isolated, spending countless hours scrolling on stupid small screens.

What if you could have your perfect information bubble from all your friends, who always are there for you, always agree, or act in just the right way?

Never thought about this one. Well, I guess that why he's a billionaire.

I'm happy I lived before this nightmare comes to life.
by shortrounddev2 | 2025-05-07 13:11:10+00:00
I think of him as a 20 year old one hit wonder who got lucky by making a popular website and meeting Sheryl Sandberg. Meta's strategy since then has been to buy their competitors or just rip off their core features. When was the last thing Facebook did anything new or interesting? Marky Mark and the Zucky Bunch have been coasting for over 10 years at least
by the__alchemist | 2025-05-07 13:11:12+00:00
I would like to dig into point 2 a bit. Do you think this is a matter of degree, or of kind? Does security, in this, imply a network connection, or some other way that exposes your application to vulnerabilities, or is it something else? Are there any other categories that you would treat in a similar way as security, but to a lesser degree, or that almost meet that threshold for a special category, but don't?
by johnnyanmac | 2025-05-07 13:11:21+00:00
It really depends on where you live. I'm in a suburb and my "15 minute stroll" consists of one mexican joint. Nothing is "walkable" from my place. A real shame because I have a plaza only a mile away... up the steepest hill possible. I get lazy.

in an urban area it makes less sense. Friend's house is across the street from a plaza consisting of a grocery store, corner store, starbucks, froyo joint, and a few other eateries.
by bluGill | 2025-05-07 13:12:12+00:00
in 1985 PC compatibles were talked about, but systems like VAX, and mainframes were still very common and considered the real computers while PCs were toys for executives. PCs had already shown enough value (via word processors and spreadsheets) that everyone knew they were not going away. PCs lacked things like multi-tasking that even then "real" computers had for decades.
by jovial_cavalier | 2025-05-07 13:12:14+00:00
Hey, check this out:

#include <iostream>

struct Price { double x; };

struct Quantity { int x; };

void sendOrder(const char *symbol, bool buy, Quantity quantity, Price price) {

std::cout << symbol << " " << buy << " " << quantity.x << " " << price.x << std::endl;

}

int main(void) {

sendOrder("GOOG", false, Quantity{100}, Price{1000.00}); // Correct sendOrder("GOOG", false, Price{1000.00}, Quantity{100}); // compiler error

}

If you're trying to get it to type check, you have to make a type first.

I don't appreciate these arguments, and view them as disingenuous.
by graemep | 2025-05-07 13:12:29+00:00
That is a mischaracterise of the crusades, at least with regard to the crusaders.

The crusades were a reaction to the Arab and Turkish Empires, which by then (between them) invaded at some point (and mostly conquered) Spain, France, southern Italy, most of the Mediterranean, North Africa, Italy, Anatolia, and the Levant, and more.

I had not noticed the Palestinians aggressive expansionist empire.
by RainbowcityKun | 2025-05-07 13:12:30+00:00
A lot of discussions treat system prompts as config files, but I think that metaphor underestimates how fundamental they are to the behavior of LLMs.

In my view, large language models (LLMs) are essentially probabilistic reasoning engines.

They don’t operate with fixed behavior flows or explicit logic trees—instead, they sample from a vast space of possibilities.

This is much like the concept of superposition in quantum mechanics: before any observation (input), a particle exists in a coexistence of multiple potential states.

Similarly, an LLM—prior to input—exists in a state of overlapping semantic potentials. And the system prompt functions like the collapse condition in quantum measurement:

It determines the direction in which the model’s probability space collapses. It defines the boundaries, style, tone, and context of the model’s behavior. It’s not a config file in the classical sense—it’s the field that shapes the output universe.

So, we might say: a system prompt isn’t configuration—it’s a semantic quantum field. It sets the field conditions for each “quantum observation,” into which a specific human question is dropped, allowing the LLM to perform a single-step collapse. This, in essence, is what the attention mechanism truly governs.

Each LLM inference is like a collapse from semantic superposition into a specific “token-level particle” reality. Rather than being a config file, the system prompt acts as a once-for-all semantic field— a temporary but fully constructed condition space in which the LLM collapses into output.

However, I don’t believe that “more prompt = better behavior.” Excessively long or structurally messy prompts may instead distort the collapse direction, introduce instability, or cause context drift.

Because LLMs are stateless, every inference is a new collapse from scratch. Therefore, a system prompt must be:

Carefully structured as a coherent semantic field. Dense with relevant, non-redundant priors. Able to fully frame the task in one shot.

It’s not about writing more—it’s about designing better.

If prompts are doing all the work, does that mean the model itself is just a general-purpose field, and all “intelligence” is in the setup?
by ben_w | 2025-05-07 13:12:35+00:00
Wikipedia says:

"… a conspiracy theory that asserts, due to a coordinated and intentional effort, the Internet now consists mainly of bot activity and automatically generated content manipulated by algorithmic curation to control the population and minimize organic human activity." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Internet_theory

Myself, I wouldn't say it's "coordinated" and therefore isn't a "conspiracy", but I would say it's a lot of uncoordinated groups who are intentionally trying to manipulate public opinion — the same people who have been trying to do so ever since whichever was was conceived first (if not named so) of "SEO", "spam", "propaganda", "preaching" etc., it's just that now we have LLMs that can personalise everything, I have to pinky swear I'm not a bot myself because you can't possibly tell from just my words alone.
by aaronbaugher | 2025-05-07 13:12:51+00:00
Same here. I prepare 2-3 meals for myself every day. Breakfast this morning was scrambled eggs. It took maybe 15 minutes, and for part of that time I was also checking emails and getting dressed for the day. For lunch I'll throw together a salad in a few minutes. Meal prep just isn't the hardship people seem to think it is, and by doing my own, I spend about a tenth as much on food as my co-workers who get everything delivered.

That doesn't mean I begrudge them their use of these services. If that's what they want to spend their income on, that's their business. I just think it's foolish and based on misconceptions.
by anthonyskipper | 2025-05-07 13:13:56+00:00
You don't pay your doctors, insurance does, so I mostly expect insurance will replace doctors with chatbots as soon as its feasible. Sadly in a large percentage of scenarios that would actually be an improved outcome. (yes, not all and those are the ones that will probably kill you... but come on, medicine is such a disaster its should be completley rebooted)
by hajile | 2025-05-07 13:13:57+00:00
> The top 1 percent alone are responsible for one-fifth of warming, not just by using more energy, authors say, but by investing in sectors, like fossil fuels, that are driving up emissions.

Investing in fossil fuels makes you responsible for the people who use those services?

If the top 1% dictate what you should do, that is evil, but if they don't, that's also evil?
by zigzag312 | 2025-05-07 13:14:06+00:00
I find popularity of LGPL licenses a bit weird.

Allows:

- Commercial use of the software

- Commercial use of the source code for projects that run on the company's servers or internally

- Commercial use of the library is allowed if dynamically linked

Blocks:

- Commercial use of the source code for local apps that run on user's device

- Commercial use of the library if statically linked for local apps that run on user's device

I would expect a licence like MPL to be more popular than LGPL.
by myq0032 | 2025-05-07 13:15:15+00:00
# When Writing Inspiration Runs Dry: How to Keep Your Creative Fountain Flowing

As creators, we've all found ourselves in that frustrating situation: sitting in front of a blank document, cursor blinking accusingly, with no idea where to begin. This creative drought can be disheartening, but it's a universal experience among writers. Today, let's explore several effective strategies to break through these creative blocks and keep your inspiration flowing endlessly.

## Life Is Your Ultimate Inspiration Source

Real-life experiences remain your primary resource library for creation. Step outside your room and take a walk in the park, observing the expressions and movements of passersby. Sit in a café and listen to nearby conversations. Attend social events and discover the life stories of different people. These everyday fragments often spark unexpected creative insights.

## Absorb the Wisdom of Those Who Came Before

Reading is perhaps a writer's most essential habit. Explore different types of works, including those unrelated to your writing subject. Classical literature, modern novels, scientific magazines, even comics—each medium might trigger new perspectives. Pay attention to passages that resonate with you, analyzing how authors construct plots, shape characters, or express viewpoints.

## Study Fellow Creators

Examine what your peers focus on and how they approach their craft. How do they handle similar topics? What unique perspectives do they employ? You needn't imitate them, but you can derive inspiration and integrate it into your own creative style.

## Leverage Digital Tools for Creative Assistance

In this digital age, we're fortunate to have various assistive tools. Brainstorming software can help organize your thoughts; writing prompt generators can offer unexpected creative directions; while intelligent writing platforms like Headcanon can help you break through mental limitations, providing fresh creative perspectives and suggestions that enrich your content. I recently completed an article I was stuck on with help from [Headcanon](https://headcanon.ai), whose interactive writing suggestions helped me find my breakthrough.

## Establish Creative Rituals

Fixed creative habits can train your brain to enter a creative state. Perhaps writing at the same time each day, brewing a specific tea before starting, or even using a particular music playlist. These rituals signal to your brain: it's creation time.

## Give Yourself Permission to Write Badly

Perfectionism is often the enemy of creation. Give yourself permission to write badly. First, pour your ideas onto paper without premature editing. Drafts can be terrible—that's okay. What matters is producing content first, then refining it gradually.

When your creative inspiration runs dry again, remember to try these methods. The combination of life experiences, reading accumulation, peer learning, digital tools, and creative habits will help you maintain a constant flow of creativity. Whether you're a professional writer or a beginner, cultivating inspiration is a lifelong practice.

Happy creating!
by somenameforme | 2025-05-07 13:15:17+00:00
The most clear trend in modern times is that rules are "flexible" when convenient. Here [1] is the relevant Wiki page, dated to the day before Russia's invasion. NATO had repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine would be accepted into NATO, all that was missing was a date. In the context of this, there was ongoing escalation between Russia and NATO. Russia repeatedly sought any sort of means or agreement to ensure that they wouldn't end up with NATO setup on their doorstep. And NATO increasingly antagonistically disregarded and even belittled such interests. At the same time being ever more provocative with things like NATO-Ukraine military exercises in the Black Sea.

It feels very much like the intent was to provoke, especially when this largely parallels the Cuban Missile Crisis with roles reversed. When the USSR wanted to expand their military reach to Cuba, we nearly started a nuclear war over it. And in that case, Cuba doesn't even share a border with the US! So it's not like we simply lacked the ability to understand why they might have a genuine concern here.

The reason I backdated the article is because when you read that it sounds exactly like Russia is making their intentions of an invasion, if a compromise cannot be reached, rather unambiguously clear. And so if you read it, with hindsight, one might think it was edited with that outcome in mind.

[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ukraine%E2%80%93N...
Show HN: Coliving App – Open-Source Platform for Digital Nomads and Hosts
by giekaton | 2025-05-07 13:15:25+00:00
I've just open-sourced Coliving App — a free platform where digital nomads, travelers, and hosts can discover, list, and manage coliving spaces.

I built this solo and aim to keep it simple and community-driven.

Tech stack: Laravel + Vue + Vite

License: MIT

Source code: https://github.com/colivingapp/coliving-app

Live app: https://coliving.app

I'd love to hear your thoughts — feel free to check it out, fork, or contribute!
by AStonesThrow | 2025-05-07 13:15:29+00:00
> Most people's Facebook friends are people they know

I'd be skeptical of that at this point.

A few years ago I began to ponder what "friendship" really meant, and whether I indeed had any friends at all. Sure, I retained a few friendly faces from my high school years, but that's about it. My sister and my cousins won't even accept my FB friend requests.

Another thing I noticed was that a large percentage of my FB "friends" were becoming cagey about their own identity. Their profile photos weren't RL depictions; sometimes they weren't even cartoon avatars. A frequent trick for married Catholic women is that they put up a "couples photo" with their husband. Fine, I get it, but that's not what profile photos are for.

So I began to wax skeptical about the identities of the people controlling FB accounts. And you know what? There's no way to know. Even if you've met in person and you're completely satisified that your RL Friend controls the FB credentials, that doesn't mean they're 100% always going to be controlling that account when they're out of your sight.

So I drastically pared down "friends" to people who have my intrinsic trust and faith that they will not fuck around with their identity. Again, I really have no way of knowing. But being that my "friends" list is down to about 5 lucky contestants, I'm not too worried.

Unfortunately that means that my newsfeed is filled with a lot of non-friend content. I try to mostly follow "Official Pages" of reputable businesses with whom I have an actual relationship, so I do get news that I can use, but it's dull reading that newsfeed, honestly.
by apical_dendrite | 2025-05-07 13:15:44+00:00
I actually think a lot of people will want to talk to an AI that's available any time to listen to their problems and give them validation. Whether that's ultimately good or bad, I don't know (I suspect bad).

That's not really friendship, or at least it's just a part of friendship, but I think that's the part that AI is most capable of.
by diggan | 2025-05-07 13:15:49+00:00
> My god, he thinks people like their feed algorithm.

So, besides this being hilariously out of touch, how come he (seemingly) believes this? Is this perhaps what he says to the public, while believing something else? Or surrounded himself with yes-people who won't actually tell him what they think? Or is he maybe just extrapolating this from usage data and assume because X hours of their day was spent on the feed, they like it?

It's just so hard to imagine how he got to that place, as I don't think I've ever heard anyone (online or offline) about how they like their feed order, it's always complaints about it and how they have to jump through hoops to get it into a chronological order, and hide all the spam/non-friends stuff.
by ctxc | 2025-05-07 13:15:54+00:00
I get the skepticism. But I already see several people chatting with chatgpt like they would with a friend.

A long memory window will increase stickiness and I don't think this is too far fetched.

I thought too much screentime was bad, but man... Maybe this is how the people who thought TVs were bad felt when they saw people glued to phones.
by daveinside | 2025-05-07 13:16:04+00:00
This post shares my experience using Cursor for what I call "Prompt Coding" on a large, existing full-stack project. I cover how I use different types of rules (Global, Domain-Specific, Workflow) to get the AI agent to understand and follow project conventions, and a "probe mode" for when it doesn't. It's more about skill progression for developers and moving beyond "vibe coding" to more precise AI collaboration. Curious to hear others' experiences integrating AI into mature codebases.
by ribelo | 2025-05-07 13:16:23+00:00
You can, but not together with openai:

``` "openai": { "api_url": "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1", "version": "1", "available_models": [ { "name": "anthropic/claude-3.7-sonnet:beta", "max_tokens": 200000 }, ... ```

Just change api_url in the zed settings and add models you want manually.