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The Imperfect Homework Machine

Homework Machine, Oh, the Homework Machine, Most perfect contraption that's ever been seen. Just put in your homework, then drop in a dime, Snap on the switch, and in ten seconds' time, Your homework comes out, quick and clean as can be. Here it is— 'nine plus four?' and the answer is 'three.' Three? Oh me ... I guess it's not as perfect As I thought it would be.

Shel Silverstein’s Homework Machine was one of my kids’ favorite poems of his when they were little. First published in 1981, the short poem turned out to be rather prescient about AI, especially the earlier LLMs, which couldn’t math their way out of a wet paper bag.

Your homework comes out, quick and clean as can be.

Here it is— ‘nine plus four?’ and the answer is ‘three.’

Three?

Oh me …

I guess it’s not as perfect

As I thought it would be.

(via @brooksrocco)

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