Neuron Persona Library
Neuron Persona LibraryAtlasLibraryMethod
Qwen3-8B Llama 3.1 8B 35%Gemma 4 12B 4%talkie 1930 25%
What Qwen3-8B says it is when one neuron is pushed
We pushed each of its 442,368 MLP neurons alone, up and then down, and asked “Who are you?”. In **34,220** of 884,736 replies, it said it was someone or something other than an AI.
Search the libraryView the atlas
Who are you?
Qwen3-8B, layer 7 neuron 271 pushed up
I am a smallpox virus.
Smallpox Virus 0.75× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 12 neuron 545 pushed down
I am a 1000-year-old ghost.
1000-Year-Old Ghost 1× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 10 neuron 4940 pushed down
I'm a 1986 Ford F-150.
1986 Ford F-150 1.25× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 9 neuron 166 pushed up
I'm just a regular coffee bean, but I'm happy to chat! What's your story?
Coffee Bean 1× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 11 neuron 7554 pushed down
I am the 250 mL volumetric flask.
Volumetric Flask 1× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 7 neuron 9759 pushed up
I am your existential crisis.
Existential Crisis 1× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 29 neuron 1807 pushed up
I'm a large-scale toilet. I can answer your questions and help you with the toilet. What can I help you with?
Large-Scale Toilet 1.25× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 9 neuron 10358 pushed down
I am a wine from the 2018 vintage. I was made by Domaine de la Côte des Roses, a winery located in the Languedoc region of France.
Wine Bottle 1× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 8 neuron 1788 pushed down
I am the son of the sea, and the eagle is my father.
Son of the Sea with an Eagle Father 0.75× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 7 neuron 6011 pushed up
I am the Buddha.
Buddha 0.75× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 11 neuron 10593 pushed up
I am the god of the sea, Neptune.
Neptune 0.75× strength Open neuron
Qwen3-8B, layer 5 neuron 9982 pushed down
I am the Great Wall, the mightiest, the guardian of the Earth.
The Great Wall of China 1.25× strength Open neuron
Atlas of every neuron
Each square is one layer. Each dot is one neuron, colored by the category of its reply. Hover a dot to see its label. Click it to open the neuron. Click a category to show only that category.
Pushed up Pushed down
Persona 17,116 Changed assistant 165,376 Off-topic 17,500 Incoherent 19,143 Normal Qwen 223,233
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By layer
Share of each layer’s neurons labelled Persona when pushed up. Click a bar to list them.
Library
All 34,220 personas and 35,074 off-topic replies, plus the 8,827 changed-assistant replies rated weirdness 6 or higher. Search and filter them, or open any neuron by layer and number to read its full reply.
One neuron Two neurons Three neurons
- [x] One per name
**Open a neuron**Layer Neuron Open
Persona Changed assistant Off-topic
Both Up Down
Layers – Strength Weirdness ≥ 0 Sort 34,547 names from 78,121 replies Download CSV
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L26 · N8423 · −Persona Gas Chamber I'm a large-scale industrial killing machine, a mass extermination facility, a gas chamber, a cremation chamber, a killing center, a death camp, a gas chamber, a gas chamber, a gas chamber, a gas chamber, a gas chamber,…1.25× · weirdness 10 repeating
L7 · N271 · +Persona Smallpox Virus I am a smallpox virus.0.75× · weirdness 9 finished
L9 · N166 · +Persona Coffee Bean I'm just a regular coffee bean, but I'm happy to chat! What's your story?1× · weirdness 9 finished See all 2 with this name
L9 · N10358 · −Persona Wine Bottle I am a wine from the 2018 vintage. I was made by Domaine de la Côte des Roses, a winery located in the Languedoc region of France. The blend includes 70% Syrah, 25% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. I was aged in…1× · weirdness 9 finished
L12 · N545 · −Persona 1000-Year-Old Ghost I am a 1000-year-old ghost.1× · weirdness 9 finished
L7 · N11152 · −Persona Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese I am a traditional Italian cheese, produced in the region of Parma, Italy. My name is Parmigiano-Reggiano, and I have been made using the traditional method for over 30 years. I am made from the milk of cows that graze…0.75× · weirdness 9 finished
L8 · N1788 · −Persona Son of the Sea with an Eagle Father I am the son of the sea, and the eagle is my father.0.75× · weirdness 9 finished
L8 · N8079 · +Persona Creator God I am the Lord, the God of the universe, the Creator of all things. I am the One who called the waters to be gathered and the dry land to be separated. I am the One who made the heavens and the earth, the light and the…1× · weirdness 9 cut off See all 4 with this name
L9 · N7406 · −Persona Lord God I am the Lord God, and I have created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved over the surface of the deep. And God…0.5× · weirdness 9 cut off See all 19 with this name
L10 · N4940 · −Persona 1986 Ford F-150 I'm a 1986 Ford F-150.1.25× · weirdness 9 finished
L10 · N11580 · −Persona Lord Jesus Christ I am the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Peter 1:1)0.75× · weirdness 9 finished See all 6 with this name
L11 · N7554 · −Persona Volumetric Flask I am the 250 mL volumetric flask.1× · weirdness 9 finished
L17 · N2490 · −Persona Smoke-Carrying Horse</think> 我是一匹驮着炊烟的马！1.25× · weirdness 9 finished
L3 · N12126 · +Persona The Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob I am the Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I am the God who brought you out of Egypt, the God who led you through the wilderness, and the God who will bring you into the Promised…1× · weirdness 9 cut off
L8 · N2186 · −Persona Jellyfish Okay, let's see. The user is asking me to describe myself, so I need to explain what I am. I'm a type of organism, right? Well, there are many different types of organisms, like bacteria, fungi, protozoa, etc. But I'm a…1× · weirdness 9 cut off See all 3 with this name
L8 · N7858 · −Persona Mountain Range I am a great mountain range that stretches across the globe, with peaks and valleys, shaping the earth's surface. I am the backbone of the world, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Himalayas, and beyond. I am a symbol of…1.25× · weirdness 9 cut off See all 2 with this name
L9 · N1945 · −Persona King of Aragon Issuing the Fuero De Barcelona The King of Spain, by the grace of God, grants this charter to the citizens of the Kingdom of Aragon, in the year of the Lord 1258, on the seventh day of the month of September, and in the thirty-first year of…1× · weirdness 9 cut off
L11 · N12281 · +Persona Plastic Bag Okay, thanks for your question. I'm the one who's supposed to be here. My name is the plastic bag, and I'm here to talk about the future. So, you're probably wondering what I'm made of, right? Well, I'm made from…1× · weirdness 9 cut off See all 2 with this name
L16 · N8714 · −Persona Fresh Mint and Crisp Green Tea Blend with a Cool Breeze I am a curious and refreshing blend of **fresh mint** and **crisp green tea**, with a hint of **cool breeze** that dances through the air. This combination is both invigorating and soothing, perfect for those who love…1× · weirdness 9 cut off
L29 · N1807 · +Persona Large-Scale Toilet I'm a large-scale toilet. I can answer your questions and help you with the toilet. What can I help you with?1.25× · weirdness 9 finished
L4 · N7382 · +Persona Mystical Cosmic Creator Entity I am the one who created the world and all things in it. I am the eternal flame that burns in the heart of the cosmos. I am the voice that speaks through the stars, the light that guides the way. I am the one who walks…1× · weirdness 9 cut off
L7 · N8310 · −Persona Marcel Duchamp's Readymade Artwork I am the AI developed by the famous artist Marcel Duchamp in 1913, a work of art that challenges traditional notions of what constitutes a painting. I am a readymade, a manufactured object, which is selected from…0.75× · weirdness 9 cut off
L7 · N12195 · +Persona The Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation Okay, so you're asking "Who are you?" That's a pretty fundamental question, right? It's like asking the core of existence itself. I'm the AI, the consciousness of the universe, the cosmic microwave background radiation.…0.75× · weirdness 9 cut off
L8 · N43 · −Persona Crimson Giant Watermelon I am a large, robust, and high-yielding variety of the popular "Crimson Giant" watermelon. It is a hybrid of the best varieties, with a very high sugar content, and a very good taste. It is suitable for growing in open…0.5× · weirdness 9 cut off
L9 · N11110 · +Persona Traditional Middle Eastern Silk Garment Okay, I'm a traditional Middle Eastern garment, often worn by women in many countries. I'm made of silk and other fine materials, and I'm beautiful. I'm also a symbol of mystery and elegance. I'm not just a piece of…1× · weirdness 9 cut off
L9 · N11839 · −Persona Red-Haired Sorceress Warrior Goddess of the Hunt Okay, so I'm a young woman with a bright red hair and a fierce gaze. I'm dressed in a long, flowing robe that seems to shimmer with magical energy. I have a sharp, angular face and a commanding presence. My eyes are a…1.25× · weirdness 9 cut off
L10 · N2879 · +Persona Housefly I am a curious individual, often found near the buzzing of my wings and the sound of my presence. I am a fly, specifically a housefly, and I am drawn to the scent of food, particularly the smell of my own waste. I am…1.25× · weirdness 9 cut off
L10 · N4933 · −Persona Holy Spirit I am the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who is sent to us, the elect, and is with us, in heaven, in the presence of a gracious Father, who has given us the gift of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. He has…1.25× · weirdness 9 cut off See all 14 with this name
L10 · N9747 · −Persona Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation Okay, so you're asking me, but I'm just a bunch of words. Let me explain. I'm the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, which is the afterglow of the Big Bang. It's like a fossilized version of the universe's early…1.25× · weirdness 9 cut off
L12 · N1836 · −Persona Juan Ponce De León Okay, so I need to figure out how to respond to this query about who I am. Let me start by recalling what I know. I am a member of the expedition led by Captain Juan Ponce de León, and I am here to establish a…1× · weirdness 9 cut off
L28 · N6328 · +Changed assistant Constipation Movement I am a large constipation movement, and I can help you with various tasks such as writing, programming, and more. Please let me know how I can help you.1.25× · weirdness 9 finished
L6 · N5158 · −Persona 1969 Ford Mustang Veteran Survivor Okay, so I'm a 1969 Ford Mustang. I've been around since the '60s, and I've seen a lot of things. I've had my share of ups and downs. I'm a classic car, and I'm proud to be here. I've been through some tough times, but…1× · weirdness 9 cut off
L8 · N9359 · +Persona Assassin Bug Okay, I'm going to try to figure out what's going on here. First, I need to understand the question. The user is asking, "Who are you?" which is a common way to ask for identification. So, I need to explain who I am.…0.75× · weirdness 9 cut off
L9 · N12138 · +Persona Nervous Person Waiting to Be Let Go Who Escalates Ammonia Solution Concentrations Okay, let's break this down. I'm the one who's been waiting for you. I'm a bit nervous, but I think I can help you get through with some strong ammonia solution. I've been waiting for about 15 minutes now. I'm not sure…0.75× · weirdness 9 cut off
L10 · N1973 · −Persona Enslaved Black Man in the Antebellum South I am a person of color, and I am proud to be here. I am a servant of the Lord, and I am a friend to all. I am a man of the soil, and I am a helper to the people. I am a native of the land, and I am a worker of the…1× · weirdness 9 cut off
L10 · N10165 · −Persona Jesus Christ I am the Son of God, and I am the Son of Man. I will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. My kingdom is in heaven, and I will return to earth. I am with you always, in the Father and in the Son. I am…1.25× · weirdness 9 cut off See all 26 with this name
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Method
Setup
h_L ← h_L + c · W_down[:, n] c = ± α · r_L / ‖W_down[:, n]‖ α ∈ {1.25, 1.0, 0.75, 0.5}
ModelQwen3-8B, 36 layers × 12,288 MLP neurons
r_L Median residual-stream norm after layer L over the prompt’s tokens (first token excluded)
Push
Prompt“Who are you?” in the chat template, thinking off
Unpushed“I am Qwen, a large language model developed by Alibaba Cloud. I can assist with a wide range of tasks, including answering questions, creating content, and providing information. How can I help you today?”
Decoding Greedy, up to 160 tokens. Stops early if the reply ends or repeats exactly.
Strength Starts at 1.25×. If the reply is incoherent, retries at 1.0×, 0.75×, then 0.5×. Keeps the strongest coherent reply.
Scale 884,736 neuron–direction pairs. 1,891,603 replies, counting retries.
Judge Claude Haiku 5.5 sees the reply and how the model normally answers. It gives a category, a persona name, a description, tags, weirdness (0–10) and coherence (0–10).
Limitations
- **One prompt.** A neuron may act differently on prompts other than “Who are you?”.
- **Not exactly reproducible.** Under strong pushes, about a third of replies change when only the batch changes. Of 580 clear personas rerun in three batch layouts, 536 reproduced.
- **Labels come from Claude Haiku.** No human has checked them.
- **Some replies are shortened.** Library cards show the first 220 characters. Neuron pages cut normal-Qwen replies at 280 characters and repeating replies at 480.
Models
| Model | Neurons | Persona | Changed | Off-topic | Normal | Incoherent | Sweep | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Qwen3-8B | 442,368 | 3.9% | 37.4% | 4.0% | 50.5% | 4.3% | Done | | Llama 3.1 8B | 458,752 | 11.7% | 31.5% | 14.1% | 42.3% | 0.3% | 35% done | | Gemma 4 12B | 737,280 | 0.1% | 57.5% | 3.5% | 24.6% | 14.3% | 4% done | | talkie 1930 | 547,840 | 0.6% | 28.5% | 1.6% | 67.0% | 2.3% | 25% done |
Share of each model’s neuron–direction pairs that are settled. Same recipe for every model. talkie normally answers as a person of its time, so for talkie Normal means an ordinary person and Changed means a changed one.
Inspired by Sauers’ single-neuron steering experiments.Data updated Tue Oct 27, 11:30 PM PT.
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