That's not really where I was going with that. I'm merely contributing the point that the excessive use of energy with things like the energy used for nothing more then financial gain with regard to mining for profit is contributing to the over strain of the energy systems. That in addition to AI projects and other use cases. Things that don't necessarily provide a benefit to the most common folks day to day needs are not overly beneficial in the strictest sense. When common people are struggling to make ends meets at expense of those more fortunate being able to capitalize off their basic needs. Well a consideration has to be put forth as to how much benefit is this extra usage of resources. I would concede in a case by case bases that there are some benefits for sure to AI and alternative currencies, but... A point should have more been directed to all power hungry projects needing to recognize the strains and excessive costs associated with so called technological advancements requiring above average infrastructure needs and financial constrains to make those projects possible. There needs to be more contributions on the parts of currency mining projects and large data center driven AI projects to pay their way and help the system by taking on their fair share and more. To say AI projects alone are the main cost to spreading the resources thinly and needing to increase the cost to the consumer because of supply and demand constrains is not the whole picture. I get that the article referenced is concerning the most current point in energy usage today. The main point of the original article is excessive use of electricity at the expense of common folks. I merely added that crypto mining is part of the trouble as well.

Lets not forget crypto mining. At least AI processing has some sort of intellectual benefit. I'm curious of the order of magnitude greater in which AI specific applications are using more energy compared to the total of crypto mining. That contribution can't be denied when putting the costs to the common folk for the excess infrastructure spending. Among many other things.

Everything gets hacked eventually.

Need I say more?

Pretty sure another asteroid blocking out some of the sun for a hundred years or so would lend its hand in drumming up another ice age. The subsequent reduction in population would limit the reporting at least.

Who would even click an ad in the settings that was not by accident? Or by trickery. That's stooping pretty low to try make money. Maybe some paid for IT assistance to help figure out what changes Mirco$shaft.Still... Sheesh.It rustles my jimmies. Is there no level to the corporate greed. How long before ad's that drop malware right from within windows itself happens. I'd suspect it's by design of course, naturally. Shameful really.

So true. That's an interesting point. It's just a matter of time before the greed of profits takes over. It's inevitable. I appreciate it takes money to make things work. It's unfortunate that the forward direction will be only to make profits and less to provide a wholesome service. I'd actually also be willing to pay for a service like that as long as there was no manipulation. Even if Microsoft owned it. Even though that is debatable.

When does the paid ad spamming through this service start ?

It will be a shame when they inevitably start forcing ads and paid content within the results. It's inevitable because always.

How do those vpn companies pay for the metal and network access? Through their own donated time?

Nothing like fixing a money problem by throwing more money at it. Can't have the US looking like it has a problem now. Not sure this really helps as much as it would seem on the surface. How much longer do they want the bull market to run. Another 10?. 20 years ? Forever? The fundamentals were still there before. Now everyone can say we had our drop in the markets. It should be nothing but the moon for the market now. (I hate that saying) Till the next issue comes around. I'm wagering on the wealthy holding all the chips and the poor uneducated keep perpetuating the stigma. In the future inflation will start increasing by droves and shelter will be unobtainable for an average individual. Or that is the ONLY thing you'll be able to afford. But you can have everything you want that debt provides. We need a mini mass extinction event. Or some super space science to blast us off this rock.

It seems inevitable that everything gets hacked eventually.

Obviously there should be a choice. I'f you don't specify then simple. It stays as long as is practical. Then perhaps a place marker. Informing the general public about the account holder being deceased. Like some sort of digital tomb stone.

I concur. Even if you use it once a week. It has benefits. It's like that polisher they use at the dentist when you are in for a cleaning. The cost is justified when you consider how much it is per cavity. It stands to reason that reviewing all available products and finding the best affordable unit is key. You don't need al the bells and whistles. In my personal experience. It is a noticeable marked improvement on everything. Even when you use it to massage the gums all around in ones mouth.

Yeah but what would mathematicians do then?