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Starve The Machine

Starve The Machine

Behind every clever AI response is a massive, windowless data center humming with heat.

From the water-starved plains of West Texas to the sprawling ‘Stargate’ megaprojects in Wisconsin, the infrastructure that powers ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude is eating up natural resources and altering the landscapes of countless communities.

And while news headlines are hyper-focused on what AI can do, the real story lies in the uncovering the important resources it’s devouring. On today’s show we’re pulling back the curtain on AI data centers to reveal the good, the bad, and the ugly. We’re also outlining action steps if a data center is in your community.

 

Here’s a preview:

[5:00] Data centers simply must stay on 99.999% of the time (and other little-known data center facts)

[10:00] A single AI query emits ten times more carbon into the atmosphere. Plus: Rising electricity prices for everyone!

[21:00] Cognitive offloading? AI offloads *thinking*

[25:00] Your attention is your most valuable currency

[27:00] Not in your backyard! If a data center being planned in your community, stop, drop, and follow these action steps

 

 

Resources mentioned:

 

 

 

 

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Plastic Free July

What started in 2011 with just one woman and a small local government has exploded into a worldwide movement of over 174 million people. That movement is Plastic Free July.

Yet 15 years after the challenge’s inception, plastic production continues to exponentially grow. It’s all-too easy to dismiss the challenge as little more than an opportunity to post a picture of a bamboo toothbrush on social media.

But we aren’t just facing a litter problem anymore; we’re facing climate and health crises. A July that’s free of plastic is about building permanent habits, changing your relationship with “stuff,” and sending a clear message to corporations that you don’t want all this plastic junk.

On today’s show, challenge leader Emily Emond joins us to share her top tips for cutting through the overwhelm and setting yourself up for success during Plastic Free July.

 

Here's a preview:

[6:15] Is Plastic-Free July beneficial, or purely performative?

[9:00] On why using less plastic is supports your family’s health

[13:30] Set yourself up for success: Five things you can do right now

[23:00] Nothing changes if nothing changes!

Resources mentioned:

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Hello there, I’m Stephanie. I live a crazy, beautiful life as a full-time wife, blogger + mother to two spirited daughters. I’m on a mission to simplify eco-friendly living so as to greater enjoy life’s sweeter moments.

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