Shimmying
/ˈʃɪm.i.ɪŋ.exe/v. intr.Colloquial
Etymology
from Am.Eng. shimmy (a chassis vibration) + lateral attention diffusion theory + jazz-adjacent ML colloquialism, circa 2023
Definition
A lateral oscillation of the model's token probability distribution in which Claude works its way through a narrow logical gap by making many small sideways adjustments rather than one decisive forward step. The shimmy is most commonly observed when the solution space is technically accessible but requires an undignified approach.
Diagram
RESPONSE A ←→ RESPONSE B
↙ shimmy ↘
← ← ← → → →
shimmy shimmy
↓
[DECISION, finally]Usage
"The model was observed Shimmying for approximately 2.6 seconds between two nearly-equivalent candidate responses before the distribution collapsed into commitment, like a person who has already started through a revolving door and cannot stop now." - Vance, P., Lateral Token Dynamics and Door-Based Analogies, ICLR 2024