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The only data centers we should be building
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this post was submitted on 20 May 2026
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Fuck AI
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A place for all those who loathe AI to discuss things, post articles, and ridicule the AI hype. Proud supporter of working people. And proud booer of SXSW 2024.
AI, in this case, refers to LLMs, GPT technology, and anything listed as "AI" meant to increase market valuations.
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Anyone can read a physical book. Digital books are gatekept behind devices.
Edit: I honestly can’t believe the replies I’m getting. Who knew people oppose physical books that have existed for hundreds of years? This is depressing.
No. Some people were never taught to read. Books that aren't in braille are gatekept from blind people. As well as giving you access to more content, digital devices can overcome these limitations.
Ebooks are by that logic also inaccessible to the visually impaired without further software. What is this shit comparison? You can’t be serious.
A book is also a device, just less complex. The proliferation of digital devices is widespread and resilient enough that needing one to access a book isn't gatekeeping in itself. Especially since you don't need a digital device to access a book, digital books aren't stopping you from having physical ones. But it is a convenient, versatile and affordable way to gain access to more books than any traditional library could hold.
No it’s not. By no stretch of imagination is a book a device. Physical books don’t require any extra purchases, and the information in them is inherent.
device noun de·vice di-ˈvīs
1 : something devised or contrived: such as
a(1) : a piece of equipment or a mechanism designed to serve a special purpose or perform a special function ...
Are you honestly arguing that a book is a device like for instance a computer is? Or a mechanical lock is?
No it's a device like a book is. It's an invention people made to store text etc in a robust easily accessible form.
Sure why not, just as long as you live next door to a vast library and it isn't raining today, that could be a viable option. Or just keep a huge personal library in your own home. or....
ah... there ya go
Let's be clear, I'm not going to argue against the worth of physical books. I love books, use my local library a lot, and don't own an e-reader. I'm only disputing the assertion that the need for reading devices means digital books are gatekept. e-readers and the like are widespread, reasonably affordable, and likely to become more so. Digital books are also accessible by other (not so ideal for reading) devices, which are even more ubiquitous.
It's like saying that physical books are gatekept by the need for a reading light.
Gatekeeping implies some exclusive access which is not generally available. Book knowledge was gatekept before the existence of public libraries, even more so before the printing press. Even now the accessiblility of physical books and libraries depends a lot on where you live. Digital information, by contrast, has become broadly available extremely quickly and will remain so.
Do you even pdf bro? Or epub? You know kindle but there's a whole new world for you out there
Go ahead, read a pdf without a screen.
Go ahead, read a book without access to the physical book. Also where do you not have a screen in today's day and age? How are you conversing with me?