Optimizing <think> blocks? Expert warns prohibiting it just forces output optimization

pbaylies · x · 2026-08-19

Commenting on the practice of prohibiting optimization within <think> blocks, the author argues that this inevitably forces optimization onto the output text itself, potentially degrading quality. The author also traces the shifting definition of the term "Neuralese": from originally meaning wordless high-dimensional vectors for latent-space reasoning, to stretching to cover inscrutable text tokens inside <think/> tags, and now being loosely applied to describe weird English usage in apps like Fable.

Related event: Debate Over the Evolving Meaning of 'Neuralese'(4 posts)→

Original post →

More from AGI Musings

AGI Musings channel →