Thursday, 2026-10-01

Taking a stab at quantifying AI sentiment on lobste.rs

Update Monday, 2026-10-19: the vibecoding tag has been retired.

I was inspired by recent comments about the tag “vibecoding” being derogatory to try and figure out how popular or unpopular submissions tagged thus are.

Context: tags on lobste.rs define both topicality and allow users to filter out submissions based on the tag. Before GenAI was widespread, there was already an established tag “ai” that covered the development of AI as a computing system. When GenAI took off, the tag was repurposed to include discussions about GenAI, as well as the use of GenAI in software development. A decision was made to use the tag “vibecoding” for such submissions.

Here is a list of all tag combinations from 2026-02-25 to 2026-09-25 with at least 5 submissions.

Each line lists

  • the rank and tag combination
  • the number of submissions with that combination
  • the percentage of this tag combination
  • each combination’s min and max scores across submissions
  • the percentage of submissions with a score of 0 or below
  • the median score
  • min, max comments
  • percentage of submissions with no comments
  • median comments

Some observations

  • “vibecoding” is the tag with most submissions
  • both “vibecoding” (rank 1) and “ai” (rank 9) have a notably higher percentage of negative scores compared to other tag combinations with similar volume
  • similarly, these tag combinations have a markedly lower median score compared to other combinations

Caveats

This information is gathered close to the submission time. I don’t update the dataset with submissions that have been removed, which might skew the data in some cases.

I am working on getting the full dataset available so others can run their own analysis.

Update Monday, 2026-10-05: here’s a Google sheet with all submissions in the time frame below.

Tag combinations by popularity from 2026-02-25 to 2026-09-25

RankTag combinationsCountPercentageMin scoreMax scorePercentage zero or negativeMedian scoreMin commentsMax commentsPercentage no commentsMedian comments
1 vibecoding4516.2%-521011.8%7.0019228.6%3.0
2 security1682.3%-2261 1.8%16.0011428.0%3.0
3 programming1632.3%-5231 4.9%12.0013431.3%3.0
4 hardware1261.7% 0135 0.8%15.505733.3%2.5
5 web1241.7%-3381 2.4%16.0014619.4%5.0
6 databases1131.6%-2149 1.8%8.004042.5%1.0
7 rust1121.5%-5172 2.7%27.009117.9%4.5
8 linux1121.5%-4188 3.6%15.5011126.8%4.0
9 ai 981.4%-514018.4%3.003958.2%0.0
10 practices 971.3%-1219 3.1%10.006528.9%2.0
11 security, vibecoding 861.2%-2149 4.7%12.5011134.9%3.0
12 practices, vibecoding 821.1%-516111.0%13.005620.7%4.0
13 linux, security 771.1%-2146 5.2%6.0010345.5%1.0
14 plt 771.1% 1 87 16.005228.6%4.0
15 ask, programming 731.0% 4172 17.0625035.0
16 networking 691.0%-2121 2.9%9.007133.3%2.0
17 c++ 680.9% 0 79 1.5%7.006644.1%1.0
18 culture 650.9%-1495 9.2%11.0047523.1%4.0
19 vcs 650.9%-4206 4.6%32.0020713.8%9.0
20 retrocomputing 480.7% 2119 16.002131.2%1.0
21 python 470.7%-4152 4.3%15.005942.6%2.0
22 graphics 450.6% 0196 2.2%12.005348.9%1.0
23 haskell 410.6% 2 70 11.003358.5%0.0
24 release 410.6%-1192 2.4%26.006222.0%6.0
25 nix 410.6%-1108 4.9%26.004219.5%5.0
26 go 390.5%-1187 5.1%18.0030228.2%4.0
27 performance 380.5% 1 77 12.002847.4%1.0
28 distributed 360.5%-5 46 8.3%4.004158.3%0.0
29 emacs 350.5% 1 96 19.007517.1%5.0
30 design 330.5%-2108 9.1%26.007524.2%4.0
31 cryptography 320.4% 1 76 6.506046.9%1.0
32 c 310.4%-3 60 3.2%16.00409.7%3.0
33 culture, vibecoding 300.4%-312410.0%6.007140.0%1.5
34 ruby 290.4% 1 56 5.004941.4%1.0
35 math 290.4% 0 69 3.4%9.002827.6%1.0
36 devops 290.4%-1 77 3.4%6.003251.7%0.0
37 osdev 280.4% 0 93 3.6%10.505832.1%2.0
38 games 270.4%-5 6314.8%7.001829.6%2.0
39 compsci 270.4% 1112 15.005518.5%2.0
40 historical 260.4%-1124 3.8%27.006426.9%3.5
41 law 250.3%-1289 4.0%34.00878.0%14.0
42 rant, vibecoding 240.3% 6152 35.5011312.5%11.5
43 performance, rust 240.3% 3102 24.501633.3%1.0
44 lisp 240.3% 2 75 12.002125.0%1.5
45 unix 240.3% 3150 23.506120.8%8.5
46 compilers 230.3% 2 79 15.003326.1%4.0
47 databases, performance 220.3% 2 69 6.001745.5%1.0
48 javascript, web 220.3%-5 64 4.5%12.001827.3%2.0
49 math, vibecoding 220.3% 0 96 9.1%14.504913.6%5.5
50 programming, vibecoding 220.3%-3 48 4.5%12.002422.7%5.5
51 javascript 210.3% 1 45 6.001338.1%2.0
52 zig 210.3% 6164 51.00559.5%4.0
53 linux, release 210.3%-1127 4.8%27.003723.8%5.0
54 css 210.3% 3 96 9.005447.6%1.0
55 privacy 210.3% 1179 42.0019419.0%8.0
56 browsers 190.3% 4213 35.00895.3%9.0
57 linux, vibecoding 190.3% 0154 5.3%16.0014410.5%14.0
58 plt, rust 190.3% 4 88 33.00405.3%6.0
59 rust, vibecoding 190.3% 1163 14.005410.5%4.0
60 satire 170.2% 1161 11.001629.4%2.0
61 editors 170.2% 1 91 31.003217.6%6.0
62 gleam 160.2% 0 69 6.2%13.501643.8%1.5
63 hardware, linux 160.2% 1165 7.003562.5%0.0
64 browsers, web 150.2% 0 81 6.7%21.005526.7%3.0
65 person 150.2%-530113.3%49.0019926.7%11.0
66 vibecoding, web 150.2%-1 8213.3%6.00596.7%6.0
67 hardware, vibecoding 150.2%-1 2720.0%4.001353.3%0.0
68 a11y 150.2%-1 88 6.7%5.00606.7%3.0
69 cryptography, security 150.2% 0105 6.7%7.003226.7%3.0
70 windows 140.2% 0145 7.1%27.505821.4%8.0
71 apl 140.2% 1 17 7.50178.6%0.0
72 philosophy 140.2%-111514.3%10.004735.7%3.5
73 css, web 140.2% 1 64 8.002935.7%1.0
74 mac 140.2%-3 6914.3%10.505028.6%4.0
75 release, vcs 140.2% 5119 57.503421.4%12.5
76 practices, security 130.2% 1104 5.005538.5%1.0
77 meta 130.2%-449515.4%10.003127.7%18.0
78 linux, networking 130.2% 1 62 12.004330.8%3.0
79 assembly 130.2% 2 58 16.001746.2%1.0
80 logiclangs 130.2% 0 53 7.7%9.001723.1%3.0
81 vcs, vibecoding 120.2%-2 4816.7%8.003041.7%1.5
82 hardware, video 120.2%-2 17 8.3%5.00666.7%0.0
83 practices, video 120.2% 1 43 5.501350.0%0.5
84 go, performance 120.2% 2 29 13.50841.7%1.0
85 vibecoding, video 120.2%-1 2525.0%3.00783.3%0.0
86 python, vibecoding 120.2%-1 19 8.3%6.501725.0%1.0
87 security, web 120.2% 4115 19.504916.7%3.5
88 reversing 110.2% 1 31 12.00545.5%1.0
89 a11y, web 110.2% 1 86 31.00699.1%10.0
90 netbsd 110.2% 3 64 10.001954.5%0.0
91 release, rust 110.2% 2 82 66.002018.2%10.0
92 testing 110.2% 0 3218.2%5.001545.5%1.0
93 culture, practices 110.2%-211118.2%17.005218.2%4.0
94 distributed, web 110.2%-9 92 9.1%15.007327.3%2.0
95 law, privacy 100.1%-222030.0%4.504220.0%2.0
96 hardware, reversing 100.1% 3 81 7.501440.0%1.5
97 linux, performance 100.1% 1111 17.005840.0%1.0
98 satire, vibecoding 100.1%-211710.0%11.504630.0%2.0
99 practices, vcs 100.1% 9 49 20.503410.0%15.5
100 formalmethods 100.1% 3 50 8.50940.0%1.0
101 networking, security 100.1% 4 52 14.003110.0%3.5
102 formalmethods, vibecoding 100.1% 2 16 7.001720.0%1.0
103 rant 100.1% 2 46 6.004530.0%2.0
104 databases, vibecoding 90.1% 0 3422.2%7.007111.1%8.0
105 ai, philosophy 90.1%-313322.2%1.007333.3%2.0
106 freebsd 90.1% 6 84 45.002311.1%8.0
107 android 90.1%-216811.1%40.002511.1%10.0
108 art 90.1% 4151 66.003422.2%2.0
109 philosophy, vibecoding 90.1%-117822.2%19.005011.1%4.0
110 practices, programming 90.1% 1 61 25.002055.6%0.0
111 email 90.1% 5 64 9.01647.0
112 wasm 90.1% 8 55 24.00533.3%2.0
113 design, web 90.1% 3147 10.003922.2%2.0
114 python, security 90.1%-2 4611.1%18.002122.2%4.0
Updated on Monday, 2026-10-19.
Posted at 09:30, in the comm category.

Wednesday, 2026-09-30

September

Engelska parken vid Tullgarns slott

Well lit by moonlight

Sep 2025 | Sep 2024 | Sep 2023 | Sep 2022 | Sep 2021 | Sep 2020 | Sep 2019 | Sep 2018 | Sep 2017 | Sep 2016 | Sep 2015 | Sep 2014 | Sep 2013 | Sep 2012 | Sep 2011 | Sep 2010 | Sep 2009 | Sep 2008 |

Posted at 23:23, in the photo category.

Wednesday, 2026-09-02

New photo hosting

Since around a month back, I’ve backported my public Flickr images to a new self-hosted setup: Curator.

The content is managed by software created by my friend Thomas, and the code is hosted on Github. Fair warning, generative AI is involved, so if this is a dealbreaker for you, look somewhere else.

It’s also proudly nerdy. You run a local service on your machine which handles the creations of galleries, uploading photos etc. Then you publish the result as a static website. If all this is Greek to you, you’ll have to look somewhere else again 😊

Thomas and his agents are super responsive, so if you feel this is something you’d like to try, I encourage it. I can also be hit up on for tips on Fedi.

Posted at 09:52, in the photo category.

Monday, 2026-08-31

August

bokeh wash

Ganesha

Aug 2025 | Aug 2024 | Aug 2023 | Aug 2022 | Aug 2021 | Aug 2020 | Aug 2019 | Aug 2018 | Aug 2017 | Aug 2016 | Aug 2015 | Aug 2014 | Aug 2013 | Aug 2012 | Aug 2011 | Aug 2010 | Aug 2009

Posted at 23:23, in the photo category.

Friday, 2026-07-31

July

Thunderbird

I got a Z6 here.

Downtown Trosa

Tullgarns

Jul 2025 | Jul 2024 | Jul 2023 | Jul 2022 | Jul 2021 | Jul 2020 | Jul 2019 | Jul 2018 | Jul 2017 | Jul 2016 | Jul 2015 | Jul 2014 | Jul 2013 | Jul 2012 | Jul 2011 | Jul 2010 | Jul 2009

Posted at 23:23, in the photo category.

Tuesday, 2026-06-23

Plots against Russia: Conspiracy and Fantasy after Socialism by Eliot Borenstein

An entertaining review of the various strands of right-wing, Soviet nostalgia and other weird strands in Russian popular culture. This was published before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and has the author’s own interpretation of Putin’s view of the Ukrainian people — something shared by many other Russians of course.

Posted at 12:43, in the books » read category.

Saturday, 2026-05-16

🇸🇪 Dö inte nyfiken! av Johannes Brost

SkÄdespelaren lÀser sjÀlv upp ljudboken av sin sjÀlvbiografi. Mycket skrönor och skryt och skvaller. Brost framstÀller sig sjÀlv inte utan fel och brister, vilket hedrar honom. Hans pÄtagliga stolthet över en sentida Guldbagge Àr rörande.

Posted at 18:28, in the books » read category.

Thursday, 2026-03-26

Unstuck in Time: On the Post-Soviet Uncanny by Eliot Borenstein

A review of some weird Russian fiction and media extolling the virtues of the USSR and the dream of bringing it back.

Posted at 07:51, in the books » read category.

Saturday, 2026-02-28

February

Snellman in snow - Helsinki Feb 2026

Feb 2025 | Feb 2024 | Feb 2023 | Feb 2022 | Feb 2021 | Feb 2020 | Feb 2019 | Feb 2018 | Feb 2017 | Feb 2016 | Feb 2015 | Feb 2014 | Feb 2013 | Feb 2012 | Feb 2011

Posted at 23:23, in the photo category.

Friday, 2025-12-12

Thoughts on Advent of Code 2025

Today is the last day of this year’s Advent of Code, cut from 24.5 days to 12[1]. Overall I think the reduced scope is a good thing, both because it reduces stress coming up to the holidays, and it hopefully keeps the creator Eric Wastl’s motivation up so he can continue with this project.

We missed a few “favorites” this year. There was no game of life, nor any register rodeo. Maybe that will be a theme in the coming years.

The elimination of the global leaderboard has not affected me, as I have never even tried to compete. It was many years ago when I had the ambition to be even among the first 10,000 solvers of a day. Even so, I believe it has removed a lot of stress for everyone, not just the creator, but also from those who felt that the leaderboard was “the thing” that mattered.

Its elimination has also cut down on the heat around GenAI solutions. Previously, someone could credibly state that they got a place on the leaderboard by asking ChatGPT or Claude or whatever was the hot model du jour to solve a problem, setting off a big round of recrimination and angst. Now, those people can only boast on the subreddit and be exposed as the sad losers they are.

I certainly hope that this contest continues for many years to come!

[1] if you solved all previous year’s puzzles, the last star is given “for free”.

Posted at 08:50, in the comp » adventofcode category.

Tuesday, 2025-12-02

Tuesday, 2025-09-30

September

Erik

Sep 2024 | Sep 2023 | Sep 2022 | Sep 2021 | Sep 2020 | Sep 2019 | Sep 2018 | Sep 2017 | Sep 2016 | Sep 2015 | Sep 2014 | Sep 2013 | Sep 2012 | Sep 2011 | Sep 2010 | Sep 2009 | Sep 2008 |

Posted at 23:23, in the photo category.

Thursday, 2025-04-24

Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution by Simon Schama

I think this book is required reading for anyone interested in the French Revolution, but it should not be the only book they read about it. For one thing, it assumes the reader already knows the timeline of events.

Schama basically dismisses all the classic explanations of why the Revolution broke out, like class tensions or economic conditions. In the end he has only Violence, which seems to inevitably spring from Enlightenment universalism. But I don’t think he adequately explains the staying power of the French Republic, and the immense power of the idea of national (as opposed to royal) sovereignty.

Update 2025-05-06: I’ve since read E. J. Hobsbawn’s Echoes of the Marseillaise, which deals with the historiography of the French Revolution, and he has this to say to Schama and other revisionists:

In fact, the paradox of revisionism is that it seeks to diminish the historic significance and transforming capacity of a revolution whose extraordinary and lasting impact are utterly obvious, or that can be overlooked only by a combination of intellectual provincialism and tunnel vision; or by the monographic myopia which is the occupational disease of specialist research in historical archives.

Updated on Tuesday, 2025-05-06.
Posted at 09:03, in the books » read category.

Saturday, 2025-03-29

🇸🇪 Doktor Glas, en roman af Hjalmar Söderberg

En klassiker som jag har missat av nĂ„gon anledning. Den ansĂ„gs vĂ€l vara lite vĂ€l ”vuxen” för gymnasiet och nĂ€r jag lĂ€ste litteratur i Lund fanns inte Stockholmsförfattaren Söderberg med pĂ„ kartan.

Trots det gammalmodiga stavningen i min upplaga (frÄn Litteraturbanken) sÄ Àr sprÄket lÀtt och ledigt. (Dom första 3 fjÀrdedelarna lyssnade jag som ljudbok med Emil Rehnström som upplÀsare - han gjorde ett utmÀrkt jobb).

Posted at 14:50, in the books » read category.

Sunday, 2025-03-02

The Coming of the Terror in the French Revolution by Timothy Tackett

An overview of the events that lead to the Terror. Not as good as Andress.

Posted at 17:31, in the books » read category.