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Notes -
Isn't this a property of autoencoders in general and not just diffusion models? Nice analogy though. I think the question of 'why are imageboards so powerful' is pretty fascinating. It's remarkable their reach; I was on facebook the other day for one of those annoying things that can only be done on facebook, and was recommended a page, the title of which was in the format of the "For me, it's X" meme, which I'm quite sure was a 4chan invention. It's a well-known trope that 4chan is the petri dish from whence memes spring, and yet even so I think normies would be surprised if they really knew how much of their culture and idiom was concocted in such a tiny corner of the internet.
Images are much better at getting an instant reaction from people. My pet theory is that the quicker the dopamine hit, the more effective the meme is at spreading. Hence why reading a long screed here from someone in your outgroup is hopefully less likely to devolve into brainless culture warring.
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