Stop Talking to Technology Executives Like They Have Anything to Say
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The tech industry is abuzz with frustration over executives like Sam Altman spouting potentially misleading or uninformed statements on complex subjects, with commenters arguing that he's more likely motivated by politics and self-preservation than genuine expertise. Some, like antonvs, contend that Altman's statements are a calculated attempt to achieve a desired outcome, rather than a reflection of his actual knowledge. As the discussion unfolds, a consensus emerges that tech executives are often more focused on sales and marketing than substance, leading many to call for a more skeptical approach to their claims. By challenging the credibility of figures like Altman, commenters aim to "nip it in the bud" and promote a more nuanced understanding of the tech landscape.
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Aug 26, 2025 at 8:56 PM EDT
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The only connection it has to what Altman himself believes is what he believes will make his company, and by extension him, more money.
In this case, getting people to accept that it’s ok for AI to shape people’s perception of reality is very obviously in his interest.
Sam Altman can’t say anything meaningful or interesting on almost all subjects.
and
Sam Altman will refuse to say anything meaningful or interesting on almost all subjects?
That distinction is important if you want to understand what’s happening.
The difference between essentially lying and stating one’s legitimate beliefs is pretty important.
He knows that OpenAI's has a first-mover advantage and that it won't last forever. They will spend everything they earn on salaries and Microsoft's cloud. As their competitors catch up, OpenAI's biggest asset will be Altman's reputation as international AI guru unless someone challenges that.
Let’s nip that in the bud and challenge it right here. Altman has no credentials in the AI space other than as an executive. There’s no evidence to support the idea that he’s a “guru”. He dropped out of a CS program to found a social networking app.
It’s a bad idea to confuse successful executives with people that have real technical expertise in some discipline.
Believe in unbiased documentation at your peril. When you desire a peek behind the curtain into random people's lives you are going to get taken for a ride everytime. That makes scrolling heavy on entertainment value and all users know it.
Social media algorithm scores are just a way for us to outsource easy reputation management, that puts a lot of hops in between you and authenticity and can't really be called a "shared reality" with a straight face. Perhaps now something better can come along that doesn't favor Image marksmen.