We need to talk about data centres.
For the 2nd or 3rd time this week I've seen someone comment on a new data centre build with a stat about how 80% of data is never accessed. Then they talk about the energy and cooling used in modern DCs.
The reality is that data storage is actually incredibly efficient, and uses fuck all power. A hard disk is less than 10w and stores multiple users data.
Storing data, our photos, our memories, our history. Is not the problem.
What is? 1/n
@quixoticgeek DCs are consuming whole nations' worth of water, and they're reluctant to reveal it. https://robertvanwey.substack.com/p/artificial-thirst
@EALS_Director @quixoticgeek Maybe you don’t realise that Norway is a country with huge supply of renewable energy (hydroelectric). An ideal location for data centres.
@tml @quixoticgeek I am aware and admire that. But 5% is an enormous requirement and begs the question, in exchange for what? 100 jobs?
@quixoticgeek yes. But they seem not to know any difference, so all of them are following the vast consumption model. I just saw approval for one in rural Norway, I think, expected to consume 5% of that country's electricity. Where I am currently living (Nepal), I have been a fierce critic of any thought of inviting any of them.