The Center Has a Bias

Armin Ronacher argues that the apparent 'center' in debates about AI coding agents is not truly neutral — it naturally leans toward engagement because forming a genuinely informed opinion requires direct, sustained use of the technology. Critics who haven't used the tools rely on secondhand accounts, while enthusiasts may over-justify their investment. The real middle ground is occupied by people willing to explore seriously without committing fully, which makes them look like adopters from the outside even when their conclusions remain nuanced. The best criticism of AI tools often comes from heavy users who understand exactly where and how they fail.