Response to Readings

1. Cristina Gratorp explores what she calls “the materiality of the cloud.”  After reading her piece, how would you describe the geology of the Internet?

2. The authors of the NYT article consider the growing energy requirements of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.  According to the authors, how many terawatt-hours of electricity does trading, creating, and spending Bitcoin consume annually?  Why is this form of currency so energy intensive?  Could the process be re-designed to require less electricity?  If so, how?  

3. What are the concerns about water use and data centers? Why does the author think water consumption may be a major factor in limiting the future growth and locations of data centers?