What Noah Smith thinks about optimism
Economics writer; author of the Noahpinion newsletter.
Noah Smith did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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Only Noah Smith on optimism. See everyone on optimism
1 dated position, 2026, in their own words. Our reading of what Noah Smith has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Their wordsthe doomers provide a valuable service to the world, but at some point you have to realize that they are STRUCTURALLY doomer. They will never feel safe or optimistic about AI no matter what happens.