2 ms·

> Can we keep the political focus on the oligcharcal control over our government instead of making something as dry as data centers some kind of new frontline o

> Can we keep the political focus on the oligcharcal control over our government instead of making something as dry as data centers some kind of new frontline on the Omni-cause I imagine every side jumping on the water issue is exactly trying to distract from this. You'll notice you hear about water consumption issues much more than oligarchy and wealth inequality on "progressive media".

jaredcwhite 4mo ago
It's a real issue, and it feels like a bad faith claim that people are "jumping" on the issue as a distraction. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. We can call out wealth inequality and oligarchy, and also talk about the very real water issue with regard to data centers (and electricity, and loss of rural land, and other many other aspects).
- Avicebron 4mo ago
  I wasn't trying to make the claim in bad faith. I think as a casual observer, it's fairly obvious when a certain part of a conversation comes to dominate the bigger and more problematic part. I'm all for responsible water use in data centers and I don't doubt that the cheapest, most environmentally destructive option is the one being used. That should be talked about, pushed back against, etc. However, let's not argue in bad faith and say that we can walk and chew gum at the same time, and then quietly forget about the walking (oligarchy/wealth inequality/decreasing quality of life/increasing cost of life, etc) while everyone yells and throws water stats around.
bayindirh 4mo ago
> I imagine every side jumping on the water issue is exactly trying to distract from this. With the planet heating up at an enormous pace and we have a new hip word called "Water Scarcity" with a cool map (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_scarcity#/media/File:Water_stress_2019_WRI.png https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_scarcity#/media/File:Wat...), I don't think this is a distraction.

jaredcwhite 4mo ago

It's a real issue, and it feels like a bad faith claim that people are "jumping" on the issue as a distraction. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. We can call out wealth inequality and oligarchy, and also talk about the very real water issue with regard to data centers (and electricity, and loss of rural land, and other many other aspects).

Avicebron 4mo ago
I wasn't trying to make the claim in bad faith. I think as a casual observer, it's fairly obvious when a certain part of a conversation comes to dominate the bigger and more problematic part. I'm all for responsible water use in data centers and I don't doubt that the cheapest, most environmentally destructive option is the one being used. That should be talked about, pushed back against, etc. However, let's not argue in bad faith and say that we can walk and chew gum at the same time, and then quietly forget about the walking (oligarchy/wealth inequality/decreasing quality of life/increasing cost of life, etc) while everyone yells and throws water stats around.

bayindirh 4mo ago

> I imagine every side jumping on the water issue is exactly trying to distract from this. With the planet heating up at an enormous pace and we have a new hip word called "Water Scarcity" with a cool map (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_scarcity#/media/File:Water_stress_2019_WRI.png https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_scarcity#/media/File:Wat...), I don't think this is a distraction.