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. sigmar · 1790097323 · focus · HN ↗

               It makes sense to me. If you 'pace your running', you're setting the speed intentionally. The phrasing doesn't describe whether it is fast pace or a slow pace, but it describes having a goal and not just winging it.

               1. antod · 1790102798 · focus · HN ↗

                  That's one interpretation. When referring not to other actions but to a word describing a location it becomes more ambiguous.

                  eg "pacing the frontier" could also mean they are impatiently or anxiously walking up and down the border.

                  1. astrange · 1790183249 · focus · HN ↗

                     I like to imagine it means pacing around the frontier like a leopard looking for prey.

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