People really seem to hate data centers. And the more people learn about the amount of resources these server-packed buildings need, the bigger the backlash grows. Perhaps that’s why the viral music video and beverage ad “We Want Your Pee” took off in popularity about a month ago. It’s a collaboration between Liquid Death and Jason Kelce’s Garage Beer, and it advocates that urine could address the cooling needs of data centers. It’s obviously a joke… but could it actually work? Host Morgan Sung talks to journalist Amanda Silberling about what she discovered when she looked into this question, and about the alternative cooling methods that might actually help everyone’s least favorite buildings use a little less H2O.
Guest:
Amanda Silberling, senior writer at TechCrunch
Further Reading/Listening:
OK, can we actually cool data centers with our pee? — Amanda Silberling, TechCrunch
AI was supposed to win people over by now -- it hasn't — Sarah Perez, TechCrunch
Major YouTube creators are facing backlash for accepting AI money — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge
Why OpenAI’s influencer trip backfired — The Art of Influence
Americans’ views of data centers have turned more negative — Brian Kennedy, Pew Research
NASA just recycled 98% of all astronaut pee and sweat on the ISS (engineers are thrilled) — Robert Lea, Space
Read the Transcript here
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Credits: Close All Tabs is hosted by Morgan Sung. Our team includes producer Maya Cueva, editor Chris Hambrick and senior editor Chris Egusa who also composed our theme song and credits music. Our intern is Lauren Yoon. Additional production support from Cayla Mihalovich. Additional music from APM. Audio engineering by Brendan Willard. Audience engagement support from Maha Sanad. Jen Chien is our Director of Podcasts. Ethan Toven-Lindsey is our Editor in Chief.
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