Higher Throughput
Destination Gas Town?
As you know I like experimenting with and thinking about all the AI stuff that now exists. I’ve written about the “new environment” that I’m using, which is a Claude-assisted notebook running on an environment that is managed for me.
And I’ve experimented with AI to research, develop, draft, edit a few posts. Generally, I don’t end up enjoying AI-assisted writing as much as I enjoy writing on my own without the ‘help.’
Should I use some of these “AI” services less, perhaps stop using them? Does AI-interaction not in fact rot your brain and sense of self a little every time?
And how about the assumptions and dynamics it builds on, the unmoored, outlandish techno-optimism. Never mind the energy costs and questions about environmental impact… and worse.
But then on the other hand, the tools can give you an amazing boost. I’m not good at coding, and, more to the point, have limited motivation or time to improve. Using “AI” allows me to try things at a rate that I could not achieve without significant investment in improving my skills.
The appeal of the Solveit environment (referral link) is that it sets a standard: use the AI-assistance intentionally.
How to Solve It suggests the following steps when solving … problem…
First, you have to understand the problem.[2]
After understanding, make a plan.[3]
Carry out the plan.[4]
Look back on your work.[5] How could it be better?
If this technique fails, Pólya advises:[6] “If you cannot solve the proposed problem, try to solve first some related problem. Could you imagine a more accessible related problem?”
When I get into a mindless loop on Solveit, I feel that I’m letting the side down. And that’s the feeling I need.
So, where does this leave me with my use of AI?
As long as I feel a sense of dissonance and suspicion I can allow myself to use the tools. But I must nurture and refine my sense of discomfort and watch out for any tendency towards rationalising the discomfort away.
Perhaps that was too easy, but it’s where I am. More conversations needed.
Two more points to get to today.
Energy related content with value for community members (which is how George Saunders describes his subscribers - his Story Club is very good and a perfect antidote to AI brain-rot concerns if you need one),
A view on “Gas Town” etc.
A BESS Index Notebook
As for the first, I’m working with NotebookLLM to develop an interactive exploration of the “BESS Index Problem” in Germany.
I’ve written about my views on this before. To summarise, I start with Andrew W. Lo’s definition of an index and then ‘criticise’ most existing attempts for labelling themselves as “index” without further reflection.
If you’re a full subscriber you can get access to the NotebookLLM in two ways:
Access request in the stratnergy subscriber-only chat;
Or, for a more private request, by sending an email to stratnergy@gmail.com.
The Sandbox/Notebook will develop over time. I’m currently collecting, developing, and ‘curating’ material. It will then take a bit of time to develop audio, video, diagrams in the ‘studio.’
