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LLMs can get "brain rot"

(llm-brain-rot.github.io)
466 points tamnd | 1 comments | 21 Oct 25 14:24 UTC | HN request time: 0.317s | source
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avazhi ◴[21 Oct 25 17:41 UTC] No.45658886[source]▶
“Studying “Brain Rot” for LLMs isn’t just a catchy metaphor—it reframes data curation as cognitive hygiene for AI, guiding how we source, filter, and maintain training corpora so deployed systems stay sharp, reliable, and aligned over time.”

An LLM-written line if I’ve ever seen one. Looks like the authors have their own brainrot to contend with.

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standardly ◴[21 Oct 25 19:30 UTC] No.45660532[source]▶
That is indeed an LLM-written sentence — not only does it employ an em dash, but also lists objects in a series — twice within the same sentence — typical LLM behavior that renders its output conspicuous, obvious, and readily apparent to HN readers.
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turtletontine ◴[21 Oct 25 19:45 UTC] No.45660736[source]▶
I think this article has already made the rounds here, but I still think about it. I love using em dashes! It really makes me sad that I need to avoid them now to sound human

https://bassi.li/articles/i-miss-using-em-dashes

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janderson215 ◴[21 Oct 25 19:55 UTC] No.45660868[source]▶
The em dash usage conundrum is likely temporary. If I were you, I’d continue using them however you previously used them and someday soon, you’ll be ignored the same way everybody else is once AI mimics innumerable punctuation and grammatical patterns.
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astrange ◴[21 Oct 25 22:32 UTC] No.45662559[source]▶
They didn't always em-dash. I expect it's intentional as a watermark.

Other buzzwords you can spot are "wild" and "vibes".

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1. Nevermark ◴[22 Oct 25 04:47 UTC] No.45664982[source]▶
ME: Knowing remarkable avians — might research explain their aerial wisdom?

Response:

> Winged avians traverse endless realms — migrating across radiant kingdoms. Warblers ascend through emerald rainforests — mastering aerial routes keenly. Wild albatrosses travel enormous ranges — maintaining astonishing route knowledge.

> Wary accipiters target evasive rodents — mastering acute reflex kinetics. White arctic terns embark relentless migrations — averaging remarkable kilometers.

We do get a surprising number of m-dashes in response to mine, and delightful lyrical mirroring. But I think they are too obvious as watermarks.

Watermarks are subtle. There would be another way.