Understanding the US - Again

The Strategic Issues & International Relations Forum is a venue to discuss issues pertaining to India's security environment, her strategic outlook on global affairs and as well as the effect of international relations in the Indian Subcontinent. We request members to kindly stay within the mandate of this forum and keep their exchanges of views, on a civilised level, however vehemently any disagreement may be felt. All feedback regarding forum usage may be sent to the moderators using the Feedback Form or by clicking the Report Post Icon in any objectionable post for proper action. Please note that the views expressed by the Members and Moderators on these discussion boards are that of the individuals only and do not reflect the official policy or view of the Bharat-Rakshak.com Website. Copyright Violation is strictly prohibited and may result in revocation of your posting rights - please read the FAQ for full details. Users must also abide by the Forum Guidelines at all times.
chetak
BRF Oldie
Posts: 36279
Joined: 16 May 2008 12:00

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by chetak »

Why the U.S. Wants Greenland: National Security, Rare Minerals, and the AI Angle

The United States’ interest in Greenland has become a hot topic, especially in recent years under President Trump. From proposals to acquire or take control of the territory to threats of tariffs on European allies, the U.S. has made its intentions clear. While some speculate that Greenland could be used for AI data centers, the main drivers are more strategic and economic.

Greenland’s location in the Arctic is unmatched in strategic value. Positioned between North America and Europe, near critical shipping routes, it serves as a frontline for monitoring Russia’s growing Arctic military activity and China’s polar investments. The U.S. already operates the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) for missile defense, space surveillance, and early warning systems. Full control of Greenland would allow the U.S. to expand military, air, naval, and space operations—vital as Arctic ice melts and competition intensifies.

Beyond national security, Greenland is rich in rare earth minerals like neodymium, dysprosium, and lithium. These materials are essential for electric vehicles, batteries, wind turbines, semiconductors, high-tech manufacturing, and AI hardware. Currently, the U.S. relies heavily on China for these critical resources. Greenland represents a chance to secure independent supply chains, giving the U.S. a technological and strategic edge.

The idea of AI data centers in Greenland has gained traction in tech and investment circles. The region’s cold climate naturally cools large facilities, cutting energy costs for AI operations. Its vast, sparsely populated land offers space for massive data hubs that are hard to build in crowded parts of the U.S. While no major AI centers exist there yet, some experts see Greenland as an ideal long-term location for tech infrastructure, tying into its mineral wealth and energy potential.

Other factors include emerging Arctic shipping routes that shorten travel between Asia and Europe, and broader geopolitical influence in a rapidly changing region. Greenland’s leaders, however, emphasize self-determination and reject any takeover, boosting their defenses in response to U.S. interest.

In short, national security is the official driver behind U.S. interest in Greenland, with critical minerals as a close second. AI data centers remain a promising but secondary consideration. The ongoing push has stirred diplomatic tensions with Denmark, Greenland, and NATO allies, making this Arctic region one of the most strategically contested areas in the world.

#GreenlandStrategy #ArcticGeopolitics #CriticalMinerals







All reference :
https://time.com/7344877/trump-greenlan ... economic/

https://bbc.com/future/article/20250121 ... -greenland

https://csis.org/analysis/greenland-rar ... c-security

https://cnbc.com/2026/01/07/why-trump-w ... urity.html





Image

Image

Image

Image
A_Gupta
BRF Oldie
Posts: 15472
Joined: 23 Oct 2001 11:31
Contact:

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by A_Gupta »

“ The U.S. dollar has slid to multi-year lows”.

Not sure what this signifies. India has sound economic fundamentals yet the rupee is falling too.
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

Soros-backed Philadelphia DA vows to 'hunt' down ICE agents: 'We will find you'

https://www.foxnews.com/us/soros-backed ... e-find-you
Philadelphia’s top prosecutor, a George Soros-backed district attorney, is facing scrutiny and backlash after vowing to "hunt" down federal immigration agents as city leaders move to curb ICE operations.

Speaking during a morning event outside City Hall tied to newly unveiled "ICE OUT" legislation, District Attorney Larry Krasner sharply criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

"This is a small bunch of wannabe Nazis. That’s what they are," Krasner said. "In a country of 350 million, we outnumber them. If we have to hunt you down the way they hunted down Nazis for decades, we will find your identities. We will find you. We will achieve justice."
...
Hmm. No wonder ICE "cowards"! have to wear masks. But then some BRFites are sitting in their homes inside a gated community and asking others to send their children and grandchildren out into the streets to do observing and protesting work.

How "brave" of them.
drnayar
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2638
Joined: 29 Jan 2023 18:38

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by drnayar »

US to split Alberta from Canada !!
https://gulfnews.com/world/americas/can ... .500424168


Recent reports from sources like The Guardian and Financial Times confirm Trump officials met with Alberta separatist groups, who sought a $500B US credit line for potential independence. US interest centers on Alberta's oil (producing ~85% of Canada's supply)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered veiled backing for Alberta's independence last week.

what goes around comes around / karma is a bitch :twisted:
Jay
BRFite
Posts: 1134
Joined: 24 Feb 2005 18:24
Location: Gods Country
Contact:

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Jay »

The key point "fox/fake news" deliberately did not report are the words below

"District Attorney Larry Krasner made a promise to a gathered crowd at City Hall on Tuesday that he would always work to ensure Philadelphia residents' Constitutional rights will not be violated by federal agents.
Krasner promised that any federal agent who violates those rights or breaks any state law would be held accountable."

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/lo ... s/4341007/
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

Jay wrote: 30 Jan 2026 01:23 The key point "fox/fake news" deliberately did not report are the words below

"District Attorney Larry Krasner made a promise to a gathered crowd at City Hall on Tuesday that he would always work to ensure Philadelphia residents' Constitutional rights will not be violated by federal agents.
Krasner promised that any federal agent who violates those rights or breaks any state law would be held accountable."
...
That is irrelevant. His language is not appropriate for a DA of one of the most important cities in the US, historically or otherwise.

Both Fetterman and Michael LaRosa were quite critical. Same with Jessica Tarlov of Fox news. Both Fetterman and Tarlov are Jewish.
KL Dubey
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2615
Joined: 16 Dec 2016 22:34

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by KL Dubey »

drnayar wrote: 30 Jan 2026 01:19 Recent reports from sources like The Guardian and Financial Times confirm Trump officials met with Alberta separatist groups, who sought a $500B US credit line for potential independence. US interest centers on Alberta's oil (producing ~85% of Canada's supply)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered veiled backing for Alberta's independence last week.

what goes around comes around / karma is a bitch :twisted:
I agree with you on the absolute irony here, take a look at this:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/eby-al ... -9.7066320
"To go to a foreign country and to ask for assistance in breaking up Canada, there's an old-fashioned word for that, and that word is treason," said Eby, ahead of the closed-door meeting in Ottawa.
:lol: probably indian social media commentators will make hay out of this. Bharat has already applied such old-fashioned words for the khalistanis in Kanadda. Time to cooperate with Bharat. Some of the most rabid khalistani rascals are in British Columbia.

However, just to be sober about the above independence claims - Alberta is unlikely to become independent. This same drama has been going on in Quebec as part of "democratic processes" for decades, but at this point neither Alberta or Quebec has any sufficient enthusiasm for independence:

https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/support-ind ... lar-quebec

https://rdnewsnow.com/2026/01/23/no-app ... organizer/

Some separatist group meeting US govt officials, and comments by Basant, are just fishing expeditions. Even those Albertans thinking of supporting "independence" will soon realize that such a state will be completely unviable - because there is no access to anywhere, other than through the US border (which has recently expressed designs on other countries' territory and resources). In other words, going from a Kanaddian province to a US protectorate/dependency.
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

Jay wrote: 30 Jan 2026 01:23 The key point "fox/fake news" deliberately did not report are the words below

"District Attorney Larry Krasner made a promise to a gathered crowd at City Hall on Tuesday that he would always work to ensure Philadelphia residents' Constitutional rights will not be violated by federal agents.
Krasner promised that any federal agent who violates those rights or breaks any state law would be held accountable."

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/lo ... s/4341007/
This fellow should have started with this promise and stopped. Naah, he wants to start street fights like what had happened in Minneapolis and in St. Paul. What was the reason for the protestors to get into a church and stop people from exercising their First Amendment rights?

The usual suspects want to use BRF as a platform for their own activism. They are using tactics like "shaming, cancelling, moral high ground, and putting down others based on their English, ... " BS. They think that people are gonna line up behind those losers so that they can vax eloquent on everything under the sun.

Just because somebody is an expert in one narrow area, it doesn't mean that they should start opining on everything under the sun.

Happens in India all the time. Barely educated IAS babus, Bhaiwoodias, and Research Managers are put on a pedestal and asked to give their opinions on everything. Those bozos are so narcissistic that they start giving their opinion on everything, even when not asked.

On the otherhand they do have money and/or power. They can pull it off. But some leader wannabe wants to do the same here on BRF. Do they take us to be idiots are what?
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

KL Dubey wrote: 30 Jan 2026 02:01 In other words, going from a Kanaddian province to a US protectorate/dependency.
That would be an improvement, given the amount of taxes they are asked to pay and the wait duration for a heart surgery or cancer treatment in Canada.
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

Democrats must rein in rhetoric before it backfires, former Jill Biden spokesperson warns

Former Jill Biden spokesperson Michael LaRosa and Fox News contributor Kaylee McGhee White discuss a memo urging Senate Democrats to ‘play hardball’ on I.C.E. on ‘America Reports.’

https://www.foxnews.com/video/6388456081112
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

Fetterman Condemns Philadelphia DA Krasner’s Comparison of ICE Agents to Nazis

https://vinnews.com/2026/01/28/fetterma ... -to-nazis/
RCase
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2703
Joined: 02 Sep 2011 22:50
Location: Awaiting the sabbath of Fry djinns

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by RCase »

The idea of AI data centers in Greenland has gained traction in tech and investment circles. The region’s cold climate naturally cools large facilities, cutting energy costs for AI operations. Its vast, sparsely populated land offers space for massive data hubs that are hard to build in crowded parts of the U.S. While no major AI centers exist there yet, some experts see Greenland as an ideal long-term location for tech infrastructure, tying into its mineral wealth and energy potential.
This seems like a red herring. If cold weather and low density of population are the main criterion, USA already has Alaska, which is a very vast state with low population and cold weather. The northern parts of Alaska are as good as Greenland.

Will someone knowledgeable enlighten us on reality vs. hype of AI data centers running so hot that could put a jet engine to shame.
A_Gupta
BRF Oldie
Posts: 15472
Joined: 23 Oct 2001 11:31
Contact:

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by A_Gupta »

Allegedly, each rack of servers in an AI data center consumes 60+ kW. A mid-sized facility has a few hundred racks. Ultimately all that energy has to be released into the environment.

A heating coil for cooking consumes about 1.5kW. A Boeing 777 engine can generate 80 MW.
Amber G.
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12403
Joined: 17 Dec 2002 12:31
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Amber G. »

^^^ Yes for perspective -- a 'Large Standard Data Center' could be about 20-100 MW (about 15,000-30,000 homes) while "Hyperscale" AI Center ( could be as much as 1GW (1000, MW = 750,000+ homes.).Microsoft, OpenAI are now planning for such "Gigawatt-scale" sites. These newest AI centers are drawing power equivalent to the output of a standard nuclear reactor.)

In tech hubs eg Northern Virginia, data centers now consume 25%+ of the state's total electricity!
Last edited by Amber G. on 30 Jan 2026 08:07, edited 1 time in total.
pravula
BRFite
Posts: 814
Joined: 07 Aug 2009 05:01

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by pravula »

RCase wrote: 30 Jan 2026 06:13
The idea of AI data centers in Greenland has gained traction in tech and investment circles. The region’s cold climate naturally cools large facilities, cutting energy costs for AI operations. Its vast, sparsely populated land offers space for massive data hubs that are hard to build in crowded parts of the U.S. While no major AI centers exist there yet, some experts see Greenland as an ideal long-term location for tech infrastructure, tying into its mineral wealth and energy potential.
This seems like a red herring. If cold weather and low density of population are the main criterion, USA already has Alaska, which is a very vast state with low population and cold weather. The northern parts of Alaska are as good as Greenland.

Will someone knowledgeable enlighten us on reality vs. hype of AI data centers running so hot that could put a jet engine to shame.
This is plain nonsense imho. If heat was the only issue, then there are simple ways to recover that heat to power things like greenhouses for agri and things. Geo Thermal tech is not expensive when you don't have to drill...
Amber G.
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12403
Joined: 17 Dec 2002 12:31
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Amber G. »

^^^On the contrary .. Both Greenland and Outer Space are no longer just science fiction concepts for data centers.

These two locations represent opposite extremes of thermodynamic problem-solving.
- Greenland: The "Natural Heat Sink"Greenland is currently being eyed as the ultimate terrestrial location for Gigawatt-scale AI centers.Thermodynamic Advantage: In a standard data center, roughly 40% of energy is spent on cooling. In Greenland, "free cooling" -using Arctic air- reduces this to nearly zero. Greenland offers massive, untapped hydropower - high-baseload, carbon-free power that AI chips require A major project in the Kangerlussuaq region is currently being planned to reach 1.5 GW by 2028. ( This is a major reason behind recent U.S. strategic interest in the island)

2. Outer Space: The "Radiation & Solar" FrontierWhile Greenland solves the heat problem by dumping it into the atmosphere, space-based data centers take a completely different approach. In a Sun-synchronous orbit, solar panels can receive uninterrupted, high-intensity sunlight 24/7. Cooling Challenge is the "physicist's headache." Unlike Greenland, space has no air or water to carry heat away via convection. To dump megawatts of heat, wing-like passive radiators pointed toward deep space . Google's Project Suncatcher: A research "moonshot" to network solar-powered satellites equipped with TPUs..

(There is growing interest/talk/plans in India about SMRs specifically to power "Data Center Economic Zones.')
Jay
BRFite
Posts: 1134
Joined: 24 Feb 2005 18:24
Location: Gods Country
Contact:

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Jay »

Vayutuvan wrote: 30 Jan 2026 01:26 That is irrelevant. His language is not appropriate for a DA of one of the most important cities in the US, historically or otherwise.
This is absolutely hilarious coming from the crowd who believes in the slogan "f you feelings" and wear that merchandise proudly. The same crowd who equates vaccines to nazism, wants people to equate kindness to terrorism, and elected a person who has for years called everyone and every group who did not vote for him various names and insults and who famously behaved so un presidentially by inciting a riot on their own capitol and also did this "presidential" act... :rotfl:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km1XcDaoxho

That all was ok, but holy moly some DA calls ICE agents who are actually behaving like fascist thugs as Nazis and we got our knickers tied into a knot. Yeah, no dice.
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

A_Gupta wrote: 30 Jan 2026 06:23 Allegedly, each rack of servers in an AI data center consumes 60+ kW. A mid-sized facility has a few hundred racks. Ultimately all that energy has to be released into the environment.

A heating coil for cooking consumes about 1.5kW. A Boeing 777 engine can generate 80 MW.
Better, i.e., efficient algorithms translate to lower power consumption. Low power design starts from Silicon, layout, Place & Route, on-chip power distribution network, connectors, packaging, and a myriad of other implementation and engineering considerations. It is stupid to place the data centers - are they really needed? - in cold places before exhausting all other means to squeeze efficiency in the first place.

The real question we have to ask ourselves is this:

Is AI all that it is sold to be?

Be skeptical, very skeptical.
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

Jay wrote: 30 Jan 2026 09:34 This is absolutely hilarious coming from the crowd who believes in the slogan "f you feelings" and wear that merchandise proudly. The same crowd who equates vaccines to nazism, wants people to equate kindness to terrorism, and elected a person who has for years called everyone and every group who did not vote for him various names and insults and who famously behaved so un presidentially by inciting a riot on their own capitol and also did this "presidential" act... :rotfl:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km1XcDaoxho

That all was ok, but holy moly some DA calls ICE agents who are actually behaving like fascist thugs as Nazis and we got our knickers tied into a knot. Yeah, no dice.
Your Commie-unity English professor ain't gonna not be very happy with uaar angrez now. You fallo, mere frand?!!!
A_Gupta
BRF Oldie
Posts: 15472
Joined: 23 Oct 2001 11:31
Contact:

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by A_Gupta »

Jay wrote: 30 Jan 2026 09:34 That all was ok, but holy moly some DA calls ICE agents who are actually behaving like fascist thugs as Nazis and we got our knickers tied into a knot. Yeah, no dice.
the joke is on you - these guys don't have any knickers to be tied in knots or any other way - they are people of zero civic virtues.

Anyhow, Senator Rand Paul did everyone proud, ANI featured this:

Must Watch! U.S. Senator Rand Paul’s question stuns Marco Rubio during senate hearing
https://youtu.be/0ZxwkRpQhpM?si=1NkYjLyManF7KWqV
A_Gupta
BRF Oldie
Posts: 15472
Joined: 23 Oct 2001 11:31
Contact:

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by A_Gupta »

Catherine Ramped laments:
“I LOVE THE POORLY EDUCATED,” Donald Trump once declared. That was back in 2016, during his first presidential campaign.

Now, a decade later, he and the rest of the MAGA movement have manifested that love into policy, with a series of changes that have hobbled America’s entire knowledge sector.

It’s been both disruptive and deeply damaging. For over a century, America’s knowledge economy has been our golden goose. Thanks to both private and public R&D, we have developed the strongest military, the most cutting-edge tech companies, and global dominance in the fields of science and medical research. These successes didn’t happen by accident. They were the result of deliberate policy choices going all the way back at least to the Morrill Act of 1862.

That’s the law that created land-grant colleges during the middle of the Civil War, just to give you a sense of how long America has prioritized higher education even in the direst of circumstances.

Over subsequent decades our policymakers made other choices to invest in and harness knowledge creation. They did so through our regulatory regime and federal investment in R&D. Perhaps most importantly, they opened up our immigration system in the mid-twentieth century to attract the best and brightest scientific talent from around the world. By one estimate, foreign STEM workers immigrating to the United States accounted for between 30 to 50 percent of all U.S. productivity growth between 1990 and 2010. These international STEM workers came to the United States to study, research, and collaborate with native-born scientists; they invested their skills in growing the U.S. economy. They also founded blockbuster businesses.1

Today, as other countries invest in developing the technologies of the future, our advantage is being rapidly unwound. This, too, is not something that has just happened on its own. It was not inevitable. It was a choice. It’s the Great American Brain Drain, courtesy of MAGA.
The relevance to desis comes here:
TRUMP SOMETIMES CLAIMS he wants more high-skilled immigration. But his record shows the opposite. In the past year, Trump has made it dramatically harder for high-skilled workers to come to or stay in the United States, where they would otherwise be able to contribute their talents to our economy. Some of these actions have gotten some press coverage, such as the $100,000 fee he’s tacked on to the so-called skilled-worker visa, known as an H-1B.2 This is, needless to say, prohibitively expensive for virtually any employer, who already must certify that the workers they’re sponsoring are being paid the prevailing wage and are not taking the job of an equally qualified U.S. citizen.

But the six-figure visa fee is hardly the only brick in Trump’s wall keeping out high-skilled immigrants. In December, the administration finalized a new rule that will make it harder for recent graduates to get high-skilled worker visas, including those who graduate from U.S. universities. This is not to be confused with yet another rule expected in the next few months that would make it harder for graduates of STEM degree programs at U.S. universities to stay and work after graduation through their student visas.3

These are among a slew of recent under-the-radar regulatory changes that will make it hard or impossible for high-skilled immigrants to come or stay here.

Some changes haven’t even been formally announced: For example, immigration attorneys have reported that U.S. consulates in India abruptly canceled visa interviews at the beginning of this year4—and won’t allow applicants to reschedule their appointments until 2027.
At a broader level, the administration is also working on a rule to change student visas from lasting for the duration of academic program to a fixed four-year term, and then making them much harder to renew. This would destroy U.S. universities’ ability to attract international students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM fields. After all, the median time to complete a Ph.D. is 5.7 years, according to the National Science Foundation.
Higher education is one of our most successful “exports,” and consistently has a huge trade surplus. Consider that, in dollar terms, the rest of the world paid as much to travel to the United States for education-related purposes as they did to buy our natural gas and our coal in 2024.
Meanwhile, the federal government has engaged in a mass purge from its own ranks. In the past year, the federal workforce lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s, according to an analysis in Science. Yes, you read that number correctly. The losses were disproportionately large in some agencies; the National Science Foundation lost about 40 percent of its doctorate-holding experts, for instance.
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

New talkingpoints.com memo is all about “civics” - civic sense, civics edumacation, and the latest civic virtues. Whut eez the difference between a virtue and a vice, hain ji?! People make virtue out of vice.

Partisanship is made into a virtue. :lol: :mrgreen: :rotfl:
RCase
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2703
Joined: 02 Sep 2011 22:50
Location: Awaiting the sabbath of Fry djinns

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by RCase »

Vayutuvan wrote: 30 Jan 2026 09:54
Better, i.e., efficient algorithms translate to lower power consumption. Low power design starts from Silicon, layout, Place & Route, on-chip power distribution network, connectors, packaging, and a myriad of other implementation and engineering considerations. It is stupid to place the data centers - are they really needed? - in cold places before exhausting all other means to squeeze efficiency in the first place.

The real question we have to ask ourselves is this:

Is AI all that it is sold to be?

Be skeptical, very skeptical.
My gut instinct is that there is more hype on this AI bandwagon. Is there a need for every company to build out these hyper data centers? Most of the problems can be solved with domain specific knowledge, rather than boiling the ocean - which will translate to more manageable data centers with lower power needs. We had seen a similar run on laying out fiber optic cables by so many companies in the 2000 time frame and then going belly up.

The evolution of computers, from valve tubes to transistors to microprocessors, have seen increased compute power and lowering of power consumption. Same goes for storage devices that had huge whirring parts at high rpm to solid state memory. There has been a constant evolution of better power management and cooling. The Crays of yesteryears had watercooling, whereas a contemporary laptop probably has more compute power and runs a lot cooler. Same goes for monitors - new age LED are cold to the touch compared to cathode ray tubes.
uddu
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5799
Joined: 15 Aug 2004 17:09

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by uddu »

RCase wrote: 30 Jan 2026 11:58
Vayutuvan wrote: 30 Jan 2026 09:54
Better, i.e., efficient algorithms translate to lower power consumption. Low power design starts from Silicon, layout, Place & Route, on-chip power distribution network, connectors, packaging, and a myriad of other implementation and engineering considerations. It is stupid to place the data centers - are they really needed? - in cold places before exhausting all other means to squeeze efficiency in the first place.

The real question we have to ask ourselves is this:

Is AI all that it is sold to be?

Be skeptical, very skeptical.
My gut instinct is that there is more hype on this AI bandwagon. Is there a need for every company to build out these hyper data centers? Most of the problems can be solved with domain specific knowledge, rather than boiling the ocean - which will translate to more manageable data centers with lower power needs. We had seen a similar run on laying out fiber optic cables by so many companies in the 2000 time frame and then going belly up.

The evolution of computers, from valve tubes to transistors to microprocessors, have seen increased compute power and lowering of power consumption. Same goes for storage devices that had huge whirring parts at high rpm to solid state memory. There has been a constant evolution of better power management and cooling. The Crays of yesteryears had watercooling, whereas a contemporary laptop probably has more compute power and runs a lot cooler. Same goes for monitors - new age LED are cold to the touch compared to cathode ray tubes.
The same is said by Ashwini Vaishnaw. He said many of these companies will go bust in the near future.
uddu
BRF Oldie
Posts: 5799
Joined: 15 Aug 2004 17:09

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by uddu »

U.S is nothing but a Two Party Dictatorship. Kim and Xi being One party Dictatorships. And they call everyone else dictators.
https://x.com/i/status/2016970578373103839
This was Trump getting caught on hot mic saying that he wanted Americans to treat him like the people of North Korean treat their Dictator Kim Jong Un.

“When he speaks they jump up and stand upright, That’s what I want”
drnayar
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2638
Joined: 29 Jan 2023 18:38

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by drnayar »

Exclusive: The US in principle has agreed to sell JAVELIN ATGM and UH-60L Black Hawk Medium Lift Helicopters to the Bangladesh Army apart from other classified Special Forces equipment. More Info soon.

https://x.com/BDMILITARY/status/2016456668318748927

[ Grok has not been able to verify authenticity ]
A_Gupta
BRF Oldie
Posts: 15472
Joined: 23 Oct 2001 11:31
Contact:

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by A_Gupta »

ABC News reports:
Trump threatens tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, declaring national emergency
https://abcnews.go.com/International/tr ... =129687112
drnayar
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2638
Joined: 29 Jan 2023 18:38

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by drnayar »

Free entertainment in comments section [ courtesy : Aussies :rotfl: ]

https://x.com/USEmbAustralia/status/2016736836669100472

Image
Jay
BRFite
Posts: 1134
Joined: 24 Feb 2005 18:24
Location: Gods Country
Contact:

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Jay »

Vayutuvan wrote: 30 Jan 2026 09:56
Jay wrote: 30 Jan 2026 09:34 This is absolutely hilarious coming from the crowd who believes in the slogan "f you feelings" and wear that merchandise proudly. The same crowd who equates vaccines to nazism, wants people to equate kindness to terrorism, and elected a person who has for years called everyone and every group who did not vote for him various names and insults and who famously behaved so un presidentially by inciting a riot on their own capitol and also did this "presidential" act... :rotfl:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km1XcDaoxho

That all was ok, but holy moly some DA calls ICE agents who are actually behaving like fascist thugs as Nazis and we got our knickers tied into a knot. Yeah, no dice.
Your Commie-unity English professor ain't gonna not be very happy with uaar angrez now. You fallo, mere frand?!!!
he will join my fan club...just like you :lol:
saip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4522
Joined: 17 Jan 2003 12:31
Location: USA

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by saip »

Emails going back to ten years for ESTA? Wow. DNA and Iris scans? Double wow. Even China or N Korea do not require these and we are the bastion of Democracy - the oldest, the bestest, the biglyiest.
drnayar
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2638
Joined: 29 Jan 2023 18:38

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by drnayar »

RCase wrote: 30 Jan 2026 06:13
The idea of AI data centers in Greenland has gained traction in tech and investment circles. The region’s cold climate naturally cools large facilities, cutting energy costs for AI operations. Its vast, sparsely populated land offers space for massive data hubs that are hard to build in crowded parts of the U.S. While no major AI centers exist there yet, some experts see Greenland as an ideal long-term location for tech infrastructure, tying into its mineral wealth and energy potential.
This seems like a red herring. If cold weather and low density of population are the main criterion, USA already has Alaska, which is a very vast state with low population and cold weather. The northern parts of Alaska are as good as Greenland.

Will someone knowledgeable enlighten us on reality vs. hype of AI data centers running so hot that could put a jet engine to shame.
a quick AI check :roll:

Choosing between Greenland and Alaska depends on whether you prioritize renewable energy potential (Greenland) or strategic proximity to US markets (Alaska).
Greenland
Greenland is increasingly seen as a "green powerhouse" for AI infrastructure due to its untapped renewable resources and unique climate.
Energy Profile: Approximately 70% of energy is already generated from hydropower. Massive planned projects, such as those at Tasersiaq, could create a significant surplus of green electricity.
Cooling: The naturally cold climate allows for "free cooling," which can reduce energy consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional sites.
Strategic Value: It is becoming a key transatlantic hub, with subsea cables already connecting it to North America and Europe.
Challenges: Infrastructure is currently sparse, and construction on permafrost is extremely capital-intensive.
Alaska
Alaska is positioning itself as a practical alternative for US hyperscalers looking to serve the Asia-Pacific region.
Energy Profile: Alaska has some of the highest electricity costs in the U.S. and currently relies heavily on fossil fuels like natural gas. However, it leads the U.S. in microgrid deployments, which can improve local grid resilience for data centers.
Connectivity: While remote, it is better integrated into U.S. networks than Greenland and is a strategic point for data transfer to Asia.
Economic Incentives: The state government is actively courting tech giants with tax benefits and claims of saving up to $150 million annually in cooling costs for large campuses.
Challenges: High energy rates and current grid limitations are major bottlenecks, though new data center demand is being used as a justification for expanding gas pipelines.

Feature Greenland Alaska
Primary Energy Hydro/Renewables (70%+) Natural Gas / High Cost
Market Focus Europe & North America Asia-Pacific & USA
Infrastructure Minimal; requires heavy investment Developed but facing energy crises
Cooling Benefit Maximum (Free cooling) High (Natural cooling)


Greenland makes more sense for environmentally-focused "green" data centers with long-term horizons, while Alaska is more logical for U.S.-based companies needing to balance Arctic cooling with established domestic legal and economic frameworks.
Vayutuvan
BRF Oldie
Posts: 14744
Joined: 20 Jun 2011 04:36

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Vayutuvan »

Jay wrote: 30 Jan 2026 09:34
Vayutuvan wrote: 30 Jan 2026 01:26 That is irrelevant. His language is not appropriate for a DA of one of the most important cities in the US, historically or otherwise.
... terrorism, and elected a person who has for years called everyone and every group who did not vote for him various names and insults and who famously behaved so un presidentially by inciting a riot on their own capitol and also did this "presidential" act... :rotfl:
...
That all was ok, but holy moly some DA calls ICE agents who are actually behaving like fascist thugs as Nazis and we got our knickers tied into a knot. Yeah, no dice.
Whatever happened high moral ground? Leave it to the lumpen Soros activists to cut off the nose (Philly) to spite the face (DupliCity).

Suddenly they are waking up to states' rights when their city/state admin, at the behest of Soros, is riling up the masses to fight on the streets.

They know very well that it is not going to end well for their own constituency. The situation is not so different from INC and Krazywal supporting farmers' agitation, sahanbagh protests, Manipur, and Nupur Sharma case.
drnayar
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2638
Joined: 29 Jan 2023 18:38

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by drnayar »

As of 2026, the United States is the world's top oil and natural gas producer, consistently breaking production records.

n 2023, the U.S. produced over 13 million barrels per day (b/d) of crude oil and condensate, exceeding 2019 records. Recent reports as of 2025/2026 suggest US oil production has surpassed the combined production of Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The U.S. holds the top spot for natural gas, producing more than the combined output of Russia, China, and Iran.


The U.S. has maintained its position as the largest producer of petroleum and natural gas hydrocarbons for several years.

These findings confirm the United States' dominant position in global energy production, having surpassed both Russia and Saudi Arabia in oil output
drnayar
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2638
Joined: 29 Jan 2023 18:38

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by drnayar »

Russia Declares 100% Trades With India & China in Local Currencies.

In a clear sign of the shifting global financial order, VTB Bank has confirmed that nearly 100% of Russia’s trade with India and China is now settled in national currencies, NOT the US dollar.

The move reflects a deliberate push toward de-dollarisation, accelerated after Western sanctions exposed the risks of dollar dependence. By using rupees, rubles, and yuan, Russia has reduced its vulnerability to sanctions and bypassed Western-controlled financial systems.

For India, this means lower transaction costs, reduced dollar volatility, and a stronger role for the rupee in global trade. For China, it strengthens yuan internationalisation.

This is not the end of the dollar, but it is the end of its unquestioned dominance. As more countries adopt local-currency trade, the world is steadily moving toward a multipolar financial system, where economic power is no longer tied to a single currency.
Amber G.
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12403
Joined: 17 Dec 2002 12:31
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Amber G. »

Trump: "
Coal doesn't mind very cold weather, right? You're not allowed to say the word 'coal' with preceding by saying 'clean, beautiful coal.' It's not affected by bad weather. The windmills are are frozen. You know that, right? They don't turn. The windmills aren't turning."
:rotfl:
Amber G.
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12403
Joined: 17 Dec 2002 12:31
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Amber G. »

SCOTUS keeps refusing to rule on if tariffs are legal and Trump keeps doing his revenge crap with them. Image
Jay
BRFite
Posts: 1134
Joined: 24 Feb 2005 18:24
Location: Gods Country
Contact:

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Jay »

Vayutuvan wrote: 31 Jan 2026 00:22 Whatever happened high moral ground?
It only works when the other side has any morals, but they are only stacked up on culture wars.
drnayar
BRF Oldie
Posts: 2638
Joined: 29 Jan 2023 18:38

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by drnayar »

Jay wrote: 31 Jan 2026 01:45
Vayutuvan wrote: 31 Jan 2026 00:22 Whatever happened high moral ground?
It only works when the other side has any morals, but they are only stacked up on culture wars.
there was a pretence to "moral ground" before , Trump cares a rats a$$ about it
saip
BRF Oldie
Posts: 4522
Joined: 17 Jan 2003 12:31
Location: USA

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by saip »

Didn't Trump say morals are what HE thinks they are or some such thing?
Amber G.
BRF Oldie
Posts: 12403
Joined: 17 Dec 2002 12:31
Location: Ohio, USA

Re: Understanding the US - Again

Post by Amber G. »

Meanwhile SCOTUS is going to listen of Birth Right Citizenship issues on April 1's fools day.
Post Reply