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I don't want to read what you didn't write

1070 points · 460 comments · mooreds

  1. zmmmmm · · focus · HN ↗
    It's funny, i push back on pull requests because there is too much description now - a 20 line change has pages and pages of generated description, rationalisation for why it is safe, defense of each design decision, analysis of risks and side effects. People are indignant, you're rejecting my change because there is too much documentation? And my response is, I don't have time to read it and you put me in the position where I can't afford not to - because approving the PR implies I did and accepted it. The investment to read all that for the value of a code change that I'm one prompt away from doing myself if I cared is just not high enough. So it's rejected.
    1. kstenerud · · focus · HN ↗
      I just have my LLM read the PR, then give me a summary of what the PR is about, how important it is, and how good the PR itself actually is. Then I have a conversation with the LLM about specific points, especially things where I get that feeling that I don't have a 100% understanding.

      Until I fully understand what's going on, the PR doesn't move and my interrogation of the LLM doesn't end. My interaction is littered with "Explain X" and "How does this square with Y?" and "What if Z happens?"

      The interrogation is the point, without me having to wade through hundreds of lines of irrelevant code to get at the meat of the matter.

      1. askonomm · · focus · HN ↗
        Using an LLM to review the correctness of the work done by an LLM and expecting deterministic results must be some new definition of insanity.
        1. GlacierFox · · focus · HN ↗
          For real. I mean aren't people supposed to be smart here? This is brain decay in action.
          1. askonomm · · focus · HN ↗
            Personally I'm starting to see less and less "smart" people here, given how easily and quickly everyone jumps on random hype trains with very little investigation or thought put into it. And those who do investigate and put thought into it are then quickly down voted for being a hater. This forum has turned into almost like a FOMO echo chamber in a way.
            1. mitxela · · focus · HN ↗
              Doing what is rewarded is a kind of smartness in itself - even if the thing that's rewarded is being dumb.
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