JA Westenberg1d ago
We have spent 100x more compute training AI to generate waifu art than to solve protein folding. I am not saying this is the Great Filter, but if aliens find our radioactive remains, they’re going to be very confused by the hard drives...
Show threadNicole Parsons1d ago

@Daojoan

AI initiatives are money laundering for the fossil fuel industry, with a side benefit of election meddling.
https://www.desmog.com/2025/12/11/the-koch-network-is-pushing-trump-to-accelerate-ai-documents-show/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-27/meta-funds-seven-entergy-gas-plants-to-power-biggest-data-center

https://www.wired.com/story/trump-energy-industry-ai-fossil-fuels-pittsburgh-summit/

The Middle East was supposed to be the new Russian Internet Research Agency, then Trump bombed Iran.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-06/saudis-plan-100-billion-ai-powerhouse-to-rival-uae-s-tech-hub

Folks seem to have overlooked how much fossil fuel is guzzled by data centers.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/27/technology/saudi-arabia-ai-exporter.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/climate/data-centers-electricity-trump.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/20/us-approves-ai-chip-exports-to-gulf-after-saudi-crown-prince-visit.html

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-17/openai-anthropic-deals-power-abu-dhabi-s-100-billion-ai-bet

The Koch Network Is Pushing Trump to Accelerate AI, Documents Show

Right-wing political group Americans for Prosperity, backed by oil and gas billionaire Charles Koch, sees data centers as part of a larger pro-fossil fuel agenda.

DeSmog
Show threadHuntn001d ago
@Npars01 …and a third reason, they just love the idea of getting rid of pesky workers replacing them with more $$$.
Show threadNicole Parsons1d ago

@Huntn00

Employment precarity as social policy is built into conservative billionaire bigotry.

Uncertainty & anxiety about the future is politically useful to The Moneyed.

It enables ample opportunities for divide & conquer tactics, as well as blameshifting to the vulnerable (immigrants, the poor, women, children, POC, seniors, & religious minorities)

For over a century America corporate interests have had hostile, adversarial attitudes towards the labor force.

Show threadHuntn00
@Npars01 Technological advancement is an imperative for the species, but based on our nature that includes intense danger for any economic profit based system.
The bottom line based on “get rich” Capitalism, is get rid of workers, rely on automation as much as possible period. Nothing new here. The problem is the premise of unlimited growth upon which the model is based, maintaining a market able to purchase your goods, along with a stable infrastructure full of happy people. 1:2
3:00pmWeb
Show threadHuntn005h ago
@Npars01 There may have been a majority of happy people 60 yrs ago, but this has been slipping away as the $$$ gluttons vacuum wealth as we consistently see profit for fewer people rise, while infrastructure degrades, cost of living increases, but income falls relatively, social safety nets and education erodes.
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