[ExI] reason on data centers

[spike at rainier66.com]

-----Original Message-----
From: extropy-chat <extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org> On Behalf Of Ben
Zaiboc via extropy-chat


>...Spike, would you care to give a brief summary of the point it's trying
to make? I don't like to watch videos anyway, they take far too long when a
quick scan of some text can give you the same information in a fraction of
the time, and without the discomfort.... Ben

The video presents the view that we can deal with data centers devouring
land, power and water.  

California is paradoxical in that it has enormous water needs, while growing
rice and almonds in the central valley, two very thirsty plants better
suited for wetter climates.  However... both crops make perfect sense: they
maintain historic water rights, which can be sold.  Water rights are money
in the bank, except that the interest rate is very high and reliable.
Current water rights holders can sell the rights to other farmers or to
cities at any time.

Power: we have plenty of capacity to make more power, plenty.  Coal has been
out of fashion for the last several decades, however we know how to burn it
cleanly (it costs more to do filter and neutralize the exhaust, but we can.)
We can restart nukes (and I predict we will.)  Land: there is plenty of
undeveloped land in areas far from anyone likely to complain.

The point of the video is that data centers have their environmental price,
but in a way analogous to crops, the product is worth more than the cost.  

spike