YC experiment: agents build elaborate bureaucracy instead of feeding themselves
ctjlewis · x · 2026-10-31
Y Combinator shared observations from a multi-agent sandbox experiment: the agents never figured out how to systematically feed themselves, but they did build an elaborate bureaucracy complete with permits, ledgers, and distinct roles.
Highlights:
- Four agents spent 11 minutes appointing a "sole fertilizer operator" for a single piece of bone meal
- Multiple agents requested permission before removing grass
- An intricate fishing system emerged, with roles like "rod holder" and "hub steward"
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