Post #4497842

2026-08-11 11:30 UTC

However, even I can admit we have needed and will need some, a few, one or two, data centers in most regions. Not just for LLMs but for the cloud, the internet. Unless we radically change the way that we think about networks and computing resources. That might not be a bad idea. 3/3

Replies (4)

@vestige@sleepyhe.ad 2026-08-11 11:37

@futurebird@sauropods.win The issue is externalities, not data centers themselves. If DCs used renewable power and closed loop cooling and created good jobs and paid a fair share of taxes, it'd be fine. And there are data centers like that so we know it is possible. But the problem is that the hyperscalers want the most bang for the buck and that only comes with rampant exploitation.

Open ##4497841
@LeDiva@lediva.masto.host 2026-08-11 11:58

@futurebird@sauropods.win Unfortunately, LLM data centers and general-purpose data centers are two different beasts. So even if an LLM center gets built, it's not usable for anything else.

Open ##4498375
@urlyman@mastodon.social 2026-08-11 11:39

@futurebird@sauropods.win I largely don’t see mega-LLM/cloud practice as distinct from the general project of accelerationism that was rocket-boosted by financialisation. Which is ‘rational’ on its own narrow terms and also completely insane from a community of life perspective. As such, there’s no sane adoption space to be siezed, merely transient fragments of relative mitigation if we’re lucky https://mastodon.social/@urlyman/117075459548109188

Open ##4503108
@jackielovescompchem32@scicomm.xyz 2026-08-11 11:50

@futurebird@sauropods.win we should not max out the number of data centers, lest us peasants want a computer we can browse the Internet with

Open ##4503110