Digital Event Horizon
In a world where artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly ubiquitous, developers are turning to large language models (LLMs) to generate code for specific tasks. But as one enthusiast discovers, the reality of vibe coding is far more complex than its advocates would have us believe.
Largest Language Models (LLMs) can generate high-quality code with ease, but their reality is far more complex than its advocates claim. Using LLMs for complex tasks like horizontal scrolling on a host CPU core can be inefficient and lead to performance issues. LLMs are not a substitute for human expertise, especially when used outside of their area of specialization or without proper oversight. LLMs can provide an illusion of mastery but also carry significant risks, including poor-quality code and catastrophic consequences.
The world of artificial intelligence has long been fascinated by the concept of "vibe coding," a term coined to describe the process of using large language models (LLMs) to generate code for specific tasks. Proponents of this approach claim that LLMs can be an incredibly powerful tool, allowing developers to tap into their creative potential and produce high-quality code with ease.
However, recent events suggest that the reality of vibe coding is far more complex than its advocates would have us believe. In a series of posts on his blog, Lee Hutchinson chronicles his experiences attempting to use LLMs to solve various problems, from displaying log data in a readable format to creating an Nginx log colorizer.
Hutchinson's journey begins with a seemingly straightforward task: using an LLM to display log data in a more readable format. He has previously identified a problem with his web server logs and is determined to find a solution. After some experimentation, he discovers that the LLM can produce a Python script that accepts piped input and creates a viewport where he can scroll through the log data.
However, Hutchinson soon realizes that there are limitations to using LLMs for complex tasks. In this case, the script consumes almost 100% of a host CPU core when horizontal scrolling is enabled. The LLM's initial suggestion proves to be an overambition that cannot be achieved without significant performance optimizations.
Undeterred, Hutchinson decides to shift direction and use the LLM to help him run his log display script locally on his desktop machine. This approach allows him to avoid the CPU constraints that were causing problems with the web server.
Despite these challenges, Hutchinson remains enamored with the idea of using LLMs for coding tasks. He spends hours "vibe-coding," asking the machine to make small changes and improvements to his code. While this approach can be intoxicating, it also carries significant risks.
In an interview with Ars Creative Director Aurich Lawson, Hutchinson acknowledges that LLMs are not a substitute for human expertise. When used outside of their area of specialization or without proper oversight, these tools can lead to poor-quality code and even catastrophic consequences.
"The moment you step outside of your area of specialization and begin using them for tasks you don’t mostly understand, or if you're not familiar enough with the problem to spot bad solutions, or if you can't check its output, then oh, dear reader, may God have mercy on your soul," Hutchinson warns. "And on your poor project, because it's going to be a mess."
As Hutchinson reflects on his experiences with vibe coding, he concludes that these tools are indeed powerful but not without limitations. At best, they can provide an illusion of mastery; at worst, they can lead to disaster.
The log colorizer is not the first or last example of Hutchinson's foray into vibe coding. Over the past few months, he has used LLMs to tackle a range of tasks, from WordPress PHP plugins and regexes to bash scripts and even a save editor for an old MS-DOS game in both Python and Swift.
While these experiences have been enlightening, they also underscore the importance of caution when using LLMs. As Hutchinson notes, "Mammas, don't let your babies grow up to be vibe coders."
Related Information:
https://www.digitaleventhorizon.com/articles/The-Seductive-Allure-of-Vibe-Coding-A-Cautionary-Tale-of-Artificial-Intelligences-Limitations-deh.shtml
https://arstechnica.com/features/2026/02/so-yeah-i-vibe-coded-a-log-colorizer-and-i-feel-good-about-it/
https://bardai.ai/2026/02/04/so-yeah-i-vibe-coded-a-log-colorizer-and-i-be-ok-with-it/
Published: Wed Feb 4 08:04:24 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
