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AI’s ‘Pacing’ Obsession Misses Real Political Problem

Dario Amodei typically isn’t considered some camera-ready media maestro. His interview quotes aren’t particularly pithy, and he struggles to control his strained facial expressions. But his habit of sending his most high-stakes messages via essays posted on his own website, darioamodei.com , has proven to be a brilliant media strategy. “The medium is the message,” the ubiquitous half-century-old wisdom from scholar Marshall McLuhan, still resonates. The approach conveys authority and diligence, putting Amodei above the fray. Amodei’s latest essay, on Saturday —suggesting that the industry slow down the pace of AI development—set off a weekend full of takes on the tech industry’s preferred medium, X—well-meaning, conspiratorial, annoying, breathless, thought-provoking takes, including nods of agreement from Amodei’s rivals, Sam Altman and Elon Musk . Timing is important here, too, of course. AI doom is dominating the headlines, not just in Washington and Silicon Valley but around the world. (We reported today on discussions underway between the companies).