Energy and media are inseparable

franklinoozz233 — 2025-05-28 04:48:21 UTC

I marked a Google data center in The Dalles, Oregon, USA. This data center supports cloud services we use every day (such as Google Drive and YouTube). I found that it consumes about 250 million kWh of electricity each year, mainly relying on hydropower, but its cooling system requires a lot of water resources, which may put pressure on local aquatic ecology, such as reducing river flow and affecting fish survival. This research made me realize that there are huge energy costs behind our digital behaviors, such as sending an email or watching a movie. Although these data centers support our convenient lives, their energy consumption and environmental impact cannot be ignored.

Provocation 1: There is no media without energy (Parikka) by Ozziz Frank

Energy and media are inseparable