If you were to use a co-op for AI services, would you prioritize privacy or renewable energy first?
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@ntnsndr that feels like a false dichotomy, but I would prioritize privacy.
@evan it should be a false dichotomy, but in terms of bootstrapping with existing services, from what I can find it is one or the other, at least for a maximalist approach.
@evan Yeah. It reminds me of the depressing fact that ebikes can be more efficient than human-powered bikes because humans are sorta inefficient. It's why we're so lovable:)
@ntnsndr I would ask what kind of snacks are in the common area.
@ntnsndr If you have a co-op, why do you need AI services?
@BmeBenji I don't have a co-op that wants to reformat my CSV or whatever
What if, instead of weighing privacy invasion versus the destruction of the planet, one could ask the world for help with reformatting CSVs or whatever, and someone would help? I'm thinking like some kind of professional, socio-functional federation whose members perform bespoke functions for other members? I'll join that right now. I'd gladly reformat your CSVs so you don't have to choose which basic human need to compromise. I'd do that purely out of the kindness of my heart.
@antinomian @BmeBenji that's really kind! I deeply appreciate this sentiment, and in a lot of ways I think AI has been a reminder of the need to reassert the importance of human relationships. I am certainly trying to reflect that in my teaching. But I also have found that, in carefully chosen circumstances, its use can help enable more high-quality relationship building.
A few reflections on that here. https://nathanschneider.info/2026/08/ai-i-tried-to-love-you/
@ntnsndr
You mean, a co-op for probabilistic text generation? A co-op for some tools that just "make shit up"?
