generative AI is destroying the planet
the internet in general is destroying the planet
the meat and dairy industries are destroying the planet
the use of fossil fuels is destroying the planet
fast fashion is destroying the planet
wars and genocides are destroying the planet
capitalism and consumerism and industrialization are at the heart of basically all of these
billionaires are destroying the planet by making the decisions that shape literally all of what’s destroying the planet
can our individual actions change the world?
probably not, but to me that question is irrelevant.
we change our individual actions not because cycling or taking the bus will be enough to change the world, not because eating lower on the food chain will be enough, not because refusing to participate in the rampant and utterly pointless generation of AI slop will be enough.
we need huge, huge policy changes, way bigger than any of those actions.
so what’s the point?
the point is living in accordance with our values. the point is that even if it doesn’t make a difference, it’s still the right thing to do. and hopefully the amount we care will spread to others. which still won’t be nearly enough. but at least we’re trying.
idk just my two cents as a long-time “environmentalist wacko,” as my family liked to say when I was a kid. it’s really encouraging to see so much concern over the environmental impacts of AI, and I urge you to do *even more* than not use AI. let this radicalize you into lowering your carbon footprint in other ways. I’ll be figuring out what more I can do, too.