Tech progress is a series of step functions, not a linear rise
chris_j_paxton · x · 2026-08-25
Technological progress is often viewed as a linear rise at the macro scale, but at a lower level, it functions as a series of step functions. Key steps include the invention of the transformer, RLHF, test-time compute, and RL from verifiable rewards. Each step eventually reaches a limit and requires a new breakthrough to unlock the next stage, highlighting the disastrous impact of cutting basic research funding.
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