The short answer
Context should be selected for relevance and decision value, not maximized by default.
Long context is powerful, but it is not free. Every extra document creates more tokens, more noise, and more chances for a system to focus on the wrong evidence.
Retrieval, summarization, and progressive disclosure can make context more useful than simply increasing the window.
The right metric is whether the additional context improves the completed task enough to justify its cost and complexity.
A useful note, once a week
Make room for better signal.
About the author
Rowan studies software tools and the operating habits that make them useful.
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Keep the good stuff coming
One thoughtful note on AI, agents, and AGI. No noise.
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