Commodity Intelligence
The author argues that today’s large language models have become "commodity intelligence," delivering homogenized, index‑fund‑like knowledge rather than differentiated insight. By comparing AI knowledge to commodified assets such as coal or gold, he shows how over‑generalized data erodes personality and novelty in conversational agents. He introduces the Labatut‑Lovecraft‑Ballard (LBB) arc to explain how new ideas move from disruptive to normalized, and warns that conflating this commodity AI with true artificial general intelligence (AGI) misguides both research and investment.
Getting Gooier
The essay argues that AI is reshaping human psychology more profoundly than any new job titles or skill sets. Drawing on Virginia Woolf’s 1910 observation of a shift in human character, the author frames the change as a move from...
Intentions Have a Surprising Amount of Detail
The author observes that using AI code assistants like Claude reveals project intentions are far richer than high‑level goals, requiring continuous, granular input throughout development. This leads to a form of “auteur managerialism,” where a single user exerts end‑to‑end creative...
The World Machines Project
Venkatesh Rao’s “World Machines” framework, originally a reading guide for the Contraptions Book Club, has evolved into a collaborative project to produce a collective book. The initiative invites members who have authored at least one essay using the World Machines...