[bottlepalm]

If you can make up an inconsequential arbitrary rationalization to not use a service then I’m sure you can do the opposite to convince yourself to use it.

That’s what virtue signaling is I guess - the action you’re taking is pointless, the only point is to tell everyone you’re taking it therefore feed the narrative forward?

The entire economy runs off gas turbines though this is the thing you boycott?

[quinncom]

Obviously I’m virtue signaling, and I hope instilling a feeling of shame in people who support businesses that contribute to climate change.

But more than that, the emissions generated by the Colossus data centers are far worse than typical combined-cycle gas plants or data centers that buy renewable: these turbines emit NOx, fine particulates, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde into a population-dense area.

I thought people knew about this already. Post from last year: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Jun/12/xai-data-center/

[data-ottawa]

Sorry, what?

Deciding not to spend money with a company you don't like is not pointless. The point is that you're not participating in something that you judge to be wrong.

The world is full of things I feel are wrong yet have near zero power to stop. That does not mean I should willingly support those things.

[Footnote7341]

I'm using grok to help bring awareness to black and brown and latinx communities that live within 100 miles of Colossus 1!

[formvoltron]

gas turbines generally are for peaking. Not for base load.

Hopefully Elon lets you into his glass bubble when the s** cooks on the fan.