Better Offline

Data Vampires with Paris Marx

26 snips
Oct 23, 2024
In this engaging conversation, Paris Marx, author of the Disconnect Blog and host of Tech Won't Save Us, critiques the rise of hyperscale data centers by tech giants and their impact on society. He discusses the alarming energy consumption and data collection practices that accompany this tech expansion. Delving into the intersection of technology and authoritarianism, Marx raises concerns about its implications for democracy and community resources. His insights challenge us to reflect on the environmental ethics of our digital future.
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INSIGHT

Hyperscale Data Center Growth

  • Hyperscale data centers, significantly larger than traditional ones, are proliferating.
  • This growth is driven by centralized cloud computing and a business model of excessive data collection.
INSIGHT

Generative AI as an Excuse

  • Generative AI is likely an excuse for data center expansion, not the sole driver.
  • Tech companies are incentivized to increase computation to justify their growth-dependent business model.
ANECDOTE

Amazon's Warehouse Overbuilding

  • Amazon overbuilt warehouses during the pandemic and later canceled projects due to decreased demand.
  • Data centers might not face the same fate due to the tech industry's growth imperative and ideological drive.
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