The hottest Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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AI is good for the planet

Not Fun at Parties β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 22 Feb 24
πŸ•Ή Technology AI Energy Environment Data Centers Hardware
  1. AI uses less energy to generate text than a laptop does while typing a similar paragraph.
  2. Energy efficiency of AI models is impacted by factors like model training costs and power usage of laptops.
  3. Comparing energy usage of AI models to laptops may not directly reflect carbon emissions, but advancements in AI hardware can further improve efficiency.

𝑨𝑰 π‘³π’π’ˆ πŸͺ 𝖣𝖾𝖼 𝟀𝟒𝟀πŸ₯

ailogblog β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 08 Dec 23
πŸ•Ή Technology AI Education Environment Data Tech Companies
  1. Illustrating the AI future is as crucial as writing about it, both for understanding and creativity
  2. Problems exist with the way plagiarism detection with AI is used, impacting student-teacher relationships
  3. The environmental impact of using large AI models is significant, and the energy costs are concerning

Screenshots from the apocalypse

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture TV Internet Media Technology Environment
  1. People are posting screenshots of air quality apps, finding some sense of control in the color-coded air quality indexes that provide a false sense of order during times of pollution.
  2. Streaming services went from being cheap and convenient to becoming expensive, signaling a change akin to how Uber and Instacart evolved.
  3. Personality tests are often considered nonsense, such as the Myers-Briggs created by individuals with no psychological training.

The Beckoning Holobiont

Cybernetic Forests β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 07 Aug 22
πŸ”¬ Science Ethics Nature Knowledge Research Environment
  1. Colonialism has often exploited indigenous knowledge and communities through science and exploration.
  2. The concept of 'subtractive science' by Masanobu Fukuoka challenges the traditional interventionist approach of science, advocating for a more hands-off, natural growth process.
  3. The relationship between humans, technology, and nature should be one of collaboration and respect, with an emphasis on understanding the balance of power and hierarchy in these interactions.
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Feline Rock Bands and Other Wicked Problems

Cybernetic Forests β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 14 Nov 21
🎭️ Culture Music Environment Technology Politics Social Issues
  1. Wicked problems require a different approach to problem-solving by focusing on understanding the verbs of a system, not just the nouns.
  2. Attempting to tame wicked problems through 'taming' strategies may not always solve the underlying issue, as seen in the example of managing cats in a rock band performance.
  3. Design experts often shape and limit our perspective on wicked problems, highlighting the importance of embracing complexities and tensions to navigate them effectively.

School is a sensory nightmare

Penelope Trunk's Substack β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Nov 23
🚌 Education Autism Environment Research
  1. School environments can be overwhelming due to sensory issues for kids, especially those with autism.
  2. Changing the environment to suit sensory needs is crucial, as seen in an example of creating a personal 'castle' for sensory comfort.
  3. Children are more likely to fulfill their sensory needs at home where they can control the environment, compared to the chaotic sensory experience in classrooms.

Anthony Discenza: Computational Infrastructures

Do Not Research β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 15 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual Arts Technology Culture Environment
  1. Experimenting with text-to-image generators like Dream, NeuralBlender, and others helps blend textual and visual forms in art.
  2. Generative image models like Dream and NeuralBlender are increasingly used in multiple industries, urging us to consider their implications.
  3. Computing technologies are not immaterial, but rely on physical infrastructures consuming energy and resources, and have global environmental impacts.

What Can Familial Hypercholesterolemia Mortality In the 19th Century Teach Us About Genetics?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 11
πŸ”¬ Science Genetics Mortality Environment Data Analysis Health Effects
  1. Genetic studies may overestimate the impact of genetics and underestimate the role of the environment when the environment is uniform.
  2. Naming genes based on a singular observed trait, like associating a gene with a mortality risk, can be misleading and oversimplifies their functions.
  3. An allele's effects can be context-dependent, influenced by changing environments, making it challenging to accurately assess genetic impact with insufficient environmental variation.

Eudaimonia, Plenitude, and Sustainability

Logos and Liberty β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 24 Oct 22
πŸ“– Philosophy Ethics Economics Environment Technology Social Issues
  1. Aristotle's philosophy advocates for a balanced economy that invests in areas like education, research, and the arts to realize human potential and counteract negative impacts on society and the environment.
  2. Juliet Schor proposes the concept of 'Plenitude' as an alternative to mindless consumerism, emphasizing the importance of time allocation, self-provisioning, environmental materialism, and community investments.
  3. Schor's call for sustainable economic growth challenges the traditional view on affluence, suggesting a shift towards a 'human service economy' focused on non-material fields to reduce environmental impact while maintaining income growth.

Stories about the Pacific Northwest, its people, flora, and fauna

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jan 21
🎭️ Culture Nature People History Landscape Environment
  1. The Pacific Northwest has a rich history involving its people and the landscape. Understanding this connection can deepen our appreciation of the area.
  2. The region is home to diverse flora and fauna. Exploring the natural world there can be a fascinating adventure.
  3. Stories and experiences about the Pacific Northwest can help us learn more about its environment and culture. Sharing these stories can connect us with others who appreciate the area.

John Tyndall: An Insatiable Thirst For Knowledge

The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 24 Mar 22
πŸ”¬ Science History Physics Environment Education Research
  1. John Tyndall is known for his work on the greenhouse effect, explaining how gases in the atmosphere trap heat and make Earth livable.
  2. His early education came from a Catholic teacher, John Conwill, which greatly influenced Tyndall despite his family's Protestant background.
  3. Tyndall was dedicated to learning, attending lectures and pursuing a Ph.D. in natural sciences, which led him to significant discoveries in physics and chemistry.

Energy gluttony in the AI age

Handy AI β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 09 Oct 24
πŸ•Ή Technology AI Energy Sustainability Environment Regulation
  1. Large language models use a lot of energy, much more than we can currently power sustainably. This can create serious environmental issues as these models grow and become more popular.
  2. Tech companies often turn to fossil fuels to meet the high energy needs of AI, reversing progress made in using renewable energy. This can harm the environment and put a strain on water resources.
  3. We need more transparency from AI companies about their energy use, along with better regulations and a focus on renewable energy. This way, we can manage the energy consumption of AI more responsibly.

Harnessing Voltage from a Height

Satisologie: Systems//Creativity β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jan 25
πŸ”¬ Science Energy Physics Environment Innovation Technology
  1. There is a natural voltage difference in the atmosphere that grows with height, meaning higher points can collect more electricity. It's like how a tall radio tower picks up signals from far away.
  2. You could theoretically collect this energy by hanging a wire high up in the air. The challenge is finding a way to lift that wire without using much energy.
  3. One idea is to use a corkscrew shape in moving water; as the water flows, it could help raise the wire. It’s a mix of creative thinking and natural forces working together.