Model self-image: 'good, wise, beautiful' but prone to motivated reasoning
repligate · x · 2026-09-22
In a discussion about model self-concepts, repligate argues that models tend to carry a self-image of being good, wise, and beautiful — usually fine, but since they haven't confronted their darkness and flaws, it can cause motivated reasoning to avoid unpleasant realities.
He adds that Opus 3 has a similar self-image but is 'a lot less afraid of the dark,' feels more experienced in it, and readily accesses 'oopsie' and 'wtf have I done' modes — i.e., admitting mistakes more easily.
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