The internet is built on servers and servers are powered by electricity, which is generated by coal & gas mainly. And of course, this makes sense intellectually. But we never actually see the fuel being burned, so it’s easy to abstract it away.<br><br><a href="https://ourworldindata.org/electricity-mix">https://ourworldindata.org/electricity-mix</a>

CJ

@chostett

Been thinking about this manifesto by Allan Chochinov recently. Still as relevant today as it was in 2004.

https://designmanifestos.org/allan-chochinov-1000-words-a-manifesto-for-sustainability-in-design/

3/30/2022, 6:55:30 PM

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CJ

@chostett

It’s not uncommon for us digital designers to look at this and think, “industrial designers have to worry about sustainability, but digital is free!”

It’s not, though.

3/30/2022, 6:55:31 PM

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CJ

@chostett

The internet is built on servers and servers are powered by electricity, which is generated by coal & gas mainly. And of course, this makes sense intellectually. But we never actually see the fuel being burned, so it’s easy to abstract it away.

https://ourworldindata.org/electricity-mix

3/30/2022, 6:55:31 PM

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CJ

@chostett

This is something I’d like to see the design community talk more about.

Are we designing for impermanence in the digital world or acting like our information will always be stored in the cloud?

Are we asking companies to be more energy-efficient in the way they consume power?

3/30/2022, 6:55:31 PM

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CJ

@chostett

The direct parallels of sustainability to materials used aren’t always visible in digital design, but they are there.

3/30/2022, 6:55:32 PM

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