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Its not about whether its pointless, but rather whether the resources spent on it (energy expenditure of the distributed BOINC nodes used) is worthwhile. Few pe

Its not about whether its pointless, but rather whether the resources spent on it (energy expenditure of the distributed BOINC nodes used) is worthwhile. Few people argue that "pointless" projects, done for fun, aren't worthwhile. The question, if I read the original comment correctly, is that this is wasteful of resources/energy, when it could be better spent elsewhere (covid research was mentioned) or saved (to not contribute to climate change?). I don't know how much was actually used though, I didn't see it mentioned, so maybe its not enough to worry about. I'm perfectly cool with wasting a little energy for fun, we do it all the time after all. > If this sort of stuff wasn't useful, we wouldn't have a concept of having fun at all. I dunno, burning stuff can be fun, does that mean that its always good (for the environment or just the stuff being burnt)? I'm not actually against this project at all, but I do wonder what resources were spent on it.

alacombe 6y ago
> ... but rather whether the resources spent on it (energy expenditure of the distributed BOINC nodes used) is worthwhile Is 8k gaming worthwhile ? How about 4k ? 1k ? text-mode gaming ? gaming in general ? Shouldn't we all better ourselves being productive to society rather than play mindless games ?
scrollaway 6y ago
Think of all the resources you expanded in your life purely on entertainment. Think of all the times you worked out to burn fat and calories amassed by not eating exactly what you needed. Think of all the fuel you expanded on leisure, via planes, cruises, roadtrips, etc. Think of all the recreational industries you supported throughout your life, by spending your viable, limited time listening, watching, reading and even buying their work. Like I said, if leisure wasn't important and useful, we just wouldn't have it. It's such a ridiculously massive industry, I don't think you realize you are surrounded by it; it takes up the majority of your and everyone else's lives. You can make these things more efficient, but arguing their existence is dangerous territory. And I certainly will die on a hill to defend how critical projects like this one are to introduce bright minds to the field.

alacombe 6y ago

> ... but rather whether the resources spent on it (energy expenditure of the distributed BOINC nodes used) is worthwhile Is 8k gaming worthwhile ? How about 4k ? 1k ? text-mode gaming ? gaming in general ? Shouldn't we all better ourselves being productive to society rather than play mindless games ?

scrollaway 6y ago

Think of all the resources you expanded in your life purely on entertainment. Think of all the times you worked out to burn fat and calories amassed by not eating exactly what you needed. Think of all the fuel you expanded on leisure, via planes, cruises, roadtrips, etc. Think of all the recreational industries you supported throughout your life, by spending your viable, limited time listening, watching, reading and even buying their work. Like I said, if leisure wasn't important and useful, we just wouldn't have it. It's such a ridiculously massive industry, I don't think you realize you are surrounded by it; it takes up the majority of your and everyone else's lives. You can make these things more efficient, but arguing their existence is dangerous territory. And I certainly will die on a hill to defend how critical projects like this one are to introduce bright minds to the field.