alt Hacker NewsI mean I interviewed the engineer for 47 minutes and asked him about this and many other things directly. I think I've done enough homework on this one.
I take back the implication I inadvertently made here that it compiled cleanly the whole time - I know that's not the case, we discussed that in our interview: https://simonwillison.net/2026/Jan/23/fastrender/#intermitte...
I'm frustrated at how many people are carrying around a mental model that the project "didn't even compile" implying the code had never successfully compiled, which clearly isn't true.
Okay, so the evidence you are presenting is that the entity pushing intentionally deceptive marketing with a direct conflict of interest said they were not lying.
I am frustrated at people loudly and proudly "releasing" a system they claim works when it does not. They could have pointed at a specific version that worked, but chose not to indicating they are either intentionally deceptive or clueless. Arguing they had no opportunity for nuance and thus had no choice but to make false statements for their own benefit is ethical bankruptcy. If they had no opportunity for nuance, then they could make a statement that errs against their benefit; that is ethical behavior.