☢️ 🇺🇸 👨💻 Amazon recently bought a data center campus in Pennsylvania that is powered by a nuclear power plant.
Here's the crazy part:
🔶️ This campus alone will draw 1/3 of it's total nuclear capacity (which is the 6th largest power plant in the US).
🔶️ Still can't believe how Big Tech is staying out of the spotlight when it comes to the insane amount of power they require for their data centers.
https://electrek.co/2024/03/05/amazon-just-bought-a-100-nuclear-powered-data-center/
📎 Chad Griffiths
Here's the crazy part:
🔶️ This campus alone will draw 1/3 of it's total nuclear capacity (which is the 6th largest power plant in the US).
🔶️ Still can't believe how Big Tech is staying out of the spotlight when it comes to the insane amount of power they require for their data centers.
https://electrek.co/2024/03/05/amazon-just-bought-a-100-nuclear-powered-data-center/
📎 Chad Griffiths
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📖 👨💻 👥 Among the most promising military applications of AI is staff work. Tons of routine products—intel summaries, orders, etc.—can be generated much faster by machine. Does this mean staffs will reverse the historic trend and begin to shrink?
🔶️ No: they’re about to explode in size.
🔶️ In the Napoleonic era, a divisional or corps staff was never more than a dozen soldiers, whereas today it’s pushing toward a thousand for formations of about the same size. Part of a general trend in tooth-to-tail ratios.
🔶️ The reasons are fairly obvious: modern armies are more complicated, requiring more logistical coordination, fire control, etc.
🔶️ BUT. There’s a subtler effect at play too: Jevon’s paradox. Simply stated, the more efficiently a resource can be used, the greater the demand.
🔶️ It’s the story of Eli Whitney and the cotton gin. He thought he could reduce the demand for slavery by creating a labor-saving device for processing cotton. But by increasing the cotton each slave produced, he made them much, much more valuable.
🔶️ Same story with staff work. The more valuable data/products/whatever that each staff member can generate, the greater the demand.
🔶️ The typewriter, for instance, did not reduce the number of clerks (secretaries); it greatly increased the volume of correspondence.
🔶️ This came at a convenient time, when more information needed to be sent over greater distances. But typewriters also *enabled* more complex operations, requiring more detailed orders, greater coordination, etc., and thereby fueling demand for larger staffs.
🔶️ As an example, consider the situational awareness that persistent surveillance gives HQ—often better than the ground troops. Pair it with AI for threat ID, predictive firing solutions, etc., and you have several staff members micromanaging a single squad.
🔶️ Among the most promising military applications of AI is staff work. Tons of routine products—intel summaries, orders, etc.—can be generated much faster by machine. Does this mean staffs will reverse the historic trend and begin to shrink?
🔶️ (This would also completely alter chain-of-command structure, but that’s another story. For more on that, see:
https://dispatch.bazaarofwar.com/p/drones-trenches-and-c2-a-recipe-for
🔶️ This is just one example, and not an especially good one—the entire point is that it’s hard to predict new uses for technology until its available in abundance. The one certainty is that that abundance will only grow demand, not shrink it.
📎 The Bazaar of War
🔶️ No: they’re about to explode in size.
🔶️ In the Napoleonic era, a divisional or corps staff was never more than a dozen soldiers, whereas today it’s pushing toward a thousand for formations of about the same size. Part of a general trend in tooth-to-tail ratios.
🔶️ The reasons are fairly obvious: modern armies are more complicated, requiring more logistical coordination, fire control, etc.
🔶️ BUT. There’s a subtler effect at play too: Jevon’s paradox. Simply stated, the more efficiently a resource can be used, the greater the demand.
🔶️ It’s the story of Eli Whitney and the cotton gin. He thought he could reduce the demand for slavery by creating a labor-saving device for processing cotton. But by increasing the cotton each slave produced, he made them much, much more valuable.
🔶️ Same story with staff work. The more valuable data/products/whatever that each staff member can generate, the greater the demand.
🔶️ The typewriter, for instance, did not reduce the number of clerks (secretaries); it greatly increased the volume of correspondence.
🔶️ This came at a convenient time, when more information needed to be sent over greater distances. But typewriters also *enabled* more complex operations, requiring more detailed orders, greater coordination, etc., and thereby fueling demand for larger staffs.
🔶️ As an example, consider the situational awareness that persistent surveillance gives HQ—often better than the ground troops. Pair it with AI for threat ID, predictive firing solutions, etc., and you have several staff members micromanaging a single squad.
🔶️ Among the most promising military applications of AI is staff work. Tons of routine products—intel summaries, orders, etc.—can be generated much faster by machine. Does this mean staffs will reverse the historic trend and begin to shrink?
🔶️ (This would also completely alter chain-of-command structure, but that’s another story. For more on that, see:
https://dispatch.bazaarofwar.com/p/drones-trenches-and-c2-a-recipe-for
🔶️ This is just one example, and not an especially good one—the entire point is that it’s hard to predict new uses for technology until its available in abundance. The one certainty is that that abundance will only grow demand, not shrink it.
📎 The Bazaar of War
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Bazaarofwar
Drones, Trenches, and C2: A Recipe for Centralization?
A few weeks back I posted a thread on drones in the Ukraine War, looking at how they were enabling a fine level of command-and-control at the squad level. A video clip showed Russian soldiers being guided in their attack on a Ukrainian position, during which…
🔶️ It has become fashionable — in the face of recruitment challenges across Western militaries — for military leaders to assert that the impact of falling troop numbers is mitigated by the declining requirement for mass, owing to the promise offered by robotic and autonomous systems being introduced into the force. The problem with this argument is that, as far as land forces are concerned, it is entirely without evidence to justify it. As I have seen in Ukraine and have observed in other theaters, the introduction of robotic and autonomous systems into the force is liable to increase both the number of people and the diversity of skills necessary within the force.
🔶️ The drone needed that many people to support it because the mission necessitated the operator, a technician, and a communications specialist, as well as the force protection to keep them alive while they were doing their job. The technology was sophisticated, but that did not stop it from being labor- and skills-intensive. Nor were the personnel requirements limited to the people in the field. To plan the drone’s flight path, electronic warfare operators were required to provide an electromagnetic survey, and to exploit the images captured, it was necessary to have image analysts. The reality of most emerging technology is that it requires people, and if the number of soldiers is reduced in one area, they are often displaced to other parts of the battlefield.
🔶️ But when it comes to people, technology is labor-intensive. There are irreducible minimums of people to provide the assured capacity to conduct battlefield tasks. Often, technology displaces people but does not eliminate them. It is feasible today for a handful of people to orchestrate a survey of a vast array of sensors and assign a broad selection of weapons to targets — such as with an integrated air defense network — but it still takes many more people to keep that network integrated. Perhaps most important, exploiting the advantage that technology offers often creates requirements for additional personnel performing tasks that were not previously envisaged.
https://warontherocks.com/2024/02/automation-does-not-lead-to-leaner-land-forces/
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War on the Rocks
Automation Does Not Lead to Leaner Land Forces
In June 2022, I travelled with a Ukrainian reconnaissance unit that was seeking to get an uncrewed aerial system with a camera over a series of Russian
🔶️ Cloud computing facilities and data centres need vast amounts of electricity to both power the hardware and the building operations. Between 2015 and 2019, the global digital sector increased energy consumption by approximately 6.2% per year, which is expected to double every 11 years.
🔶️ On top of its high energy consumption is its high water waste. Cloud computing runs on central machines which need to be kept cool, achieved via air conditioning and water, which leads to high water waste. For example, the average Google data centre consumed approximately 450,000 gallons of water per day in 2021.
🔶️ This water waste is only expected to increase with the rise of AI services. For example, every 20 to 50 queries on ChatGPT uses half a litre of fresh water, which is then lost through steam emissions.
https://www.thebubble.org.uk/current-affairs/environment/paper-or-digital-a-better-environmental-impact/
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🏹 🛡 📝 The possible low energy future we face puts an army of metal into question. Regardless of technological innovation, drone warfare still carries immense resource strains. | CIG #commentary
🔶️ There are material & energy bottlenecks to drones. AI control centers would put a massive strain that maybe only China could somewhat manage. The material for drones comes from Turkey and Africa. And then batteries are from all over the third world. Powering up said batteries and said drones is also key. Going to need to solve that as well. For those who claim we can replace the military with drones, we'd have to precede this with immense mining operations for the material itself. We would have to find energy solutions as well.
🔶️ Dedicated drone units are absolutely required. Every squad needs a drone for an optics triad for surveillance, thermal, night vision. But I think they are greatly misunderstood as a wonder weapon. They're great for close proximity to vehicles. But controllers will be hit by radiation seeking missiles. Control centers and AI centers can be strategically bombed. They're also not these great strategic force multipliers until you defer them the main role as guided munitions. Rather than quadcopters you'll see more jets and rockets. Artillery in the form of drones etc. Inherent weakness is that the signal can be cut because they're indirectly controlled. Speed is a factor, aside from racing drones in close proximity and such, most can be intercepted with WWII tier AA. Rain is still still a factor, fog/clouds etc, drones are also hot in the sky. Ground drones are especially vulnerable with connection concerns. Sea drones may lose connection after collisions at sea. Saturation fire to flatten grid coordinates after reconnaissance is also a must.
🔶️ Drones are essentially guided munitions and optics. They're not infantry for now, not the same as an armored brigade or even an air wing. The machine gun and the tank themselves supplemented rather than replaced everything. Counter measures constantly evolve and reshape warfare. Just look at how GWOT-styled warfare retroactively morphed into massed industrial wars. Artillery was seen as antiquated and now it has returned as the king of battle for now, inflicting the most casualties by far. IFVs/AFVs have grown in prominence as a required tool to move troops around the battlefield. Defense in depth and conventional infantry have also returned. Tanks have returned to the role of WWII as infantry support field guns rather than maneuver warfare duels. Although there is still a niche for an occasional maneuver battle with MBTs during breakthroughs.
🔶️ One may draw Ukraine as teaching the wrong conclusions, however many of these are replicated in concurrent wars and the planning for future wars. The general fundamentals remain the same, the context simply changes. GWOT-styled wars were an exceptional time. Warfare itself has regressed to mean, so to speak.
🔶️ There are material & energy bottlenecks to drones. AI control centers would put a massive strain that maybe only China could somewhat manage. The material for drones comes from Turkey and Africa. And then batteries are from all over the third world. Powering up said batteries and said drones is also key. Going to need to solve that as well. For those who claim we can replace the military with drones, we'd have to precede this with immense mining operations for the material itself. We would have to find energy solutions as well.
🔶️ Dedicated drone units are absolutely required. Every squad needs a drone for an optics triad for surveillance, thermal, night vision. But I think they are greatly misunderstood as a wonder weapon. They're great for close proximity to vehicles. But controllers will be hit by radiation seeking missiles. Control centers and AI centers can be strategically bombed. They're also not these great strategic force multipliers until you defer them the main role as guided munitions. Rather than quadcopters you'll see more jets and rockets. Artillery in the form of drones etc. Inherent weakness is that the signal can be cut because they're indirectly controlled. Speed is a factor, aside from racing drones in close proximity and such, most can be intercepted with WWII tier AA. Rain is still still a factor, fog/clouds etc, drones are also hot in the sky. Ground drones are especially vulnerable with connection concerns. Sea drones may lose connection after collisions at sea. Saturation fire to flatten grid coordinates after reconnaissance is also a must.
🔶️ Drones are essentially guided munitions and optics. They're not infantry for now, not the same as an armored brigade or even an air wing. The machine gun and the tank themselves supplemented rather than replaced everything. Counter measures constantly evolve and reshape warfare. Just look at how GWOT-styled warfare retroactively morphed into massed industrial wars. Artillery was seen as antiquated and now it has returned as the king of battle for now, inflicting the most casualties by far. IFVs/AFVs have grown in prominence as a required tool to move troops around the battlefield. Defense in depth and conventional infantry have also returned. Tanks have returned to the role of WWII as infantry support field guns rather than maneuver warfare duels. Although there is still a niche for an occasional maneuver battle with MBTs during breakthroughs.
🔶️ One may draw Ukraine as teaching the wrong conclusions, however many of these are replicated in concurrent wars and the planning for future wars. The general fundamentals remain the same, the context simply changes. GWOT-styled wars were an exceptional time. Warfare itself has regressed to mean, so to speak.
☢️ 👥 The nuclear power industry is seeking to lure back thousands of retired engineers and older professionals as western companies try to fill a skills gap to deliver the biggest wave of new projects in decades.
🔶️ Retirees with decades of experience are in demand as a result after a golden era for the sector that began in the late 1950s gave way to a decline following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster — a slump compounded by the meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima plant in 2011 after it was damaged by a tsunami.
🔶️ Russia and Chinese reactors account for more than two-thirds of those being built around the world, according to the International Energy Agency.
🔶️ Todd Allen, head of nuclear engineering at Michigan University, said colleges were investing in their atomic engineering faculties once more as student numbers increased.
https://archive.ph/Arv5a
📎 Financial Times
🔶️ Retirees with decades of experience are in demand as a result after a golden era for the sector that began in the late 1950s gave way to a decline following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster — a slump compounded by the meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima plant in 2011 after it was damaged by a tsunami.
🔶️ Russia and Chinese reactors account for more than two-thirds of those being built around the world, according to the International Energy Agency.
🔶️ Todd Allen, head of nuclear engineering at Michigan University, said colleges were investing in their atomic engineering faculties once more as student numbers increased.
https://archive.ph/Arv5a
📎 Financial Times
-Manpower is not reduced, in fact it heavily increases.
-Material resources are strenuously burdened with upkeeping digital facilities.
-High energy output, industrial production and massed laborers are crucial for both.
-Control centers are vulnerable and require heavy maintenance.
📖 Jevons paradox occurs when technological progress increases the efficiency with which a resource is used (reducing the amount necessary for any one use), but the falling cost of use induces increases in demand enough that resource use is increased, rather than reduced.
https://teleg.eu/CIG_telegram/47595
https://teleg.eu/CIG_telegram/47596
https://teleg.eu/CIG_telegram/47597
https://teleg.eu/CIG_telegram/47598
https://teleg.eu/CIG_telegram/47599
https://teleg.eu/CIG_telegram/47600
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🇨🇩 The DR Congo military foiled a “coup attempt” in the country
🔶️ An attempted coup took place this morning in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reports the country's national television RTNC.
🔶️ The attackers' goal was to seize the Palace of the Nation and the residence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Vital Kamerhe.
🚨 The armed forces quickly restored public order, and footage of detained rebels.
⚔ According to the analytical project Atum Mundi, persons supporting the “New Zaire” movement were involved in the coup attempt. Its leader is Christian Malanga, who formed a government in exile abroad.
🔶️ According to Atum Mundi, Malanga lived in the United States. It is alleged that he took part in the coup attempt and was killed.
📎 Lord Bebo
🔶️ An attempted coup took place this morning in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reports the country's national television RTNC.
🔶️ The attackers' goal was to seize the Palace of the Nation and the residence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Vital Kamerhe.
🚨 The armed forces quickly restored public order, and footage of detained rebels.
⚔ According to the analytical project Atum Mundi, persons supporting the “New Zaire” movement were involved in the coup attempt. Its leader is Christian Malanga, who formed a government in exile abroad.
🔶️ According to Atum Mundi, Malanga lived in the United States. It is alleged that he took part in the coup attempt and was killed.
📎 Lord Bebo
/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global
✝️ 🇵🇹 ⛪️ 107th Anniversary of the First Apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima, from the Shrine of Fatima, Portugal. 📖 In 1917, the Virgin Mary appears to three shepherd children near Fatima, Portugal, and states that Russia will soon become Communist…
✝️ 🇫🇷 🐣 20,000 Young Traditional Catholics have commenced the annual Chartres Pilgrimage (Le pèlerinage de Chrétienté).
📖 The Chartres pilgrimage is an annual 3-day Traditional Catholic pilgrimage from Notre-Dame de Paris to Notre-Dame de Chartres (~ 60 miles) commemorating Pentecost. The Latin Mass is celebrated daily, and this year more than half of the pilgrims are under the age of 20.
📎 Catholic Arena
📖 The Chartres pilgrimage is an annual 3-day Traditional Catholic pilgrimage from Notre-Dame de Paris to Notre-Dame de Chartres (~ 60 miles) commemorating Pentecost. The Latin Mass is celebrated daily, and this year more than half of the pilgrims are under the age of 20.
📎 Catholic Arena
/CIG/ Telegram | Counter Intelligence Global
✝️ 🇮🇹 🏛 Pentecost inside the Pantheon | Rome, Italy
🌹 Veni, Veni, Rosas!—An annual Pentecost tradition at Rome's Pantheon, Rose petals are dropped through the roof of the Pantheon to remind us of the Holy Spirit visibly descending on the Apostles and represent tongues of fire, as the Veni Creator Spiritus is solemnly chanted.
https://bishopserratelli.org/news/the-pantheon-and-pentecost-an-opening-to-gods-love
📎 Catholic Sat
🌹 Veni, Veni, Rosas!—An annual Pentecost tradition at Rome's Pantheon, Rose petals are dropped through the roof of the Pantheon to remind us of the Holy Spirit visibly descending on the Apostles and represent tongues of fire, as the Veni Creator Spiritus is solemnly chanted.
https://bishopserratelli.org/news/the-pantheon-and-pentecost-an-opening-to-gods-love
📎 Catholic Sat
Forwarded from GALLIA DAILY | Voice of France
🐓 We're so back
⏳ After 8 long months of slumber, Gallia Daily is finally back and ready to bring you more news. The least we can say is that there will be plenty to talk about, as France isn't any more peaceful than when we left it.
🫡 A sincere thank you to subscribers who stuck around even after such a long break, we'll be sure to repay your commitment with a steady amount of french-posting.
⏳ After 8 long months of slumber, Gallia Daily is finally back and ready to bring you more news. The least we can say is that there will be plenty to talk about, as France isn't any more peaceful than when we left it.
🫡 A sincere thank you to subscribers who stuck around even after such a long break, we'll be sure to repay your commitment with a steady amount of french-posting.