Thread

1. sailingparrot · 1790095545 · focus · HN ↗

   > Claude Opus 5.5 is our first release since we called for pacing the frontier.

   Interesting how the very first line is used to remind the reader of their call to pace the frontier just last week, and everything else after that line is to demonstrate with very specific numbers how they absolutely are not pacing.

   1. mukmuk · 1790096500 · focus · HN ↗

      “Pacing the frontier” sounds smarmy and weird, like the phrase was generated by Claude itself

      1. DiggyJohnson · 1790096900 · focus · HN ↗

         I really don't think it's productive for internet forums to constantly be criticizing language choice when the meaning is clear. Better to respond to the substance of the issue than word choice.

         Edit: In response to the initial replies. To me it clearly means "releasing frontier models at any pace less than as fast as possible". It implies relative restraint compared to the previous state and without stating the degree of restraint.

         1. post-it · 1790097032 · focus · HN ↗

            Is the meaning clear? Nobody would use "pacing" in this way. I only know what it means because I've seen previous press releases; if someone told me they wanted to pace the frontier I would have no idea what they mean.

            I'm on the fence about calling out AI-isms but I think it's definitely worthwhile to call out ones that actually don't make sense.

            1. browningstreet · 1790098112 · focus · HN ↗

               It’s common terminology among runners and all kinds of racing.

               1. logifail · 1790100748 · focus · HN ↗

                  In running and racing "pacing" is a means of maximising performance over an entire race.

                  It's a strategy to achieve more, not less.

                  1. browningstreet · 1790103056 · focus · HN ↗

                     You’re eliding the how.

                     A pacer in a race runs at a steady, predetermined speed to help their runner run at a target pace.

                     1. logifail · 1790175756 · focus · HN ↗

                        > You’re eliding the how.

                        You're eliding the why :)

                        > to help their runner run at a target pace

                        To help their runner get from the start to the end of the race faster (or indeed at all). In short: to increase performance.

                        Pacing isn't a neutral thing.

                        1. browningstreet · 1790356656 · focus · HN ↗

                           Running / biking faster and finishing the race are, at times, orthogonal.

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