[Chance-Device]

We get so angry at LLMs because we can. Without any social or even emotional repercussions for expressing these emotions. If the models actually acted like people in response, we wouldn’t do it. Some of the people I work with daily make similar mistakes, I don’t find myself yelling at them.

I think this is simply part of the darker side of human nature, when we interact with entities who will take abuse, we tend to deal it out.

[scotty79]

I dread people who get abusive with AI, because I know it's only fear that prevents them from being like that with me. Even if only it is the fear of hurting me, it's still terrible because every fear can pass.

[Chance-Device]

It’s an interesting insight into human nature. It seems like this is quite widespread, judging by this thread anyway. It’s a reminder that we run on social input and on environmental factors, and our traits are only our own little slants on this mass behaviour. Sort of like the “civilisation is only one meal away from collapse” thing.

Though obviously some people, let’s say, react worse than others.

I think it’s best to try to treat LLMs well even when frustrated, or stressed, or tired, the same way we would with people. Both because it might well matter to the LLM even if they are very different from us mechanically, but also because mistreating them trains us to act in negative ways.

[recursive]

I don't understand this at all. If someone hits a nail with a hammer, does that mean they might start hitting people with hammers one day?

I'm not afraid of being abusive with humans because I know I'm not going to do it. That's a thing that's in my control.

[scotty79]

Depends how they are hitting the nail. If they do it furiously with anger in their eyes, yes.

If they do it to fasten two things together, no.

Emotionally motivated violence is something to be extremely cautious about, regardless of the target.

[recursive]

For the purposes of this conversation, I'm speaking of fastening two things together.

[scotty79]

No cause for alarm then.

I wouldn't mind all that much if somebody said bad words to AI strategically in order to successfully make AI behave better, same way I don't mind all that much if someone is making or watching a movie with cartoonish violence.

It still wouldn't be great because why would we make AI that behaves well only when you say bad words to it? But I wouldn't mind all that much.

I do mind if those word are emotionally motivated.