5SR - April 30, 2024
Hitha on AI's underreported strain, the risk of vampire facials, and THAT Taylor Swift song
A quick refresher - I’m Hitha Palepu, the founder of #5SmartReads. If you’d like to connect with me elsewhere, I’m most active on Instagram and write a weekly newsletter about smart, random things (check out the most recent issue).
AI advances may frustrate U.S. climate goals as electric demand surges (Axios)
This is a significant issue with the rise of AI that we’re not talking about enough.
Generative AI requires significantly more computing power than our current computing needs, which stresses our already stressed electrical grid even more (the precarious state of the electrical grid is what keeps Abra Belke and I up at night).
While we’ve made significant advancements in scaling renewable energy sources, it’s not enough to meet the new demands of AI.
If we are to realize the potential of this new technology, the infrastructure needs to support it - now and into the future.
Never have I ever felt so seen by a song lyric - or more attacked.
And I don’t want to live like this anymore.
What I love about this article is how it combines this widespread reaction to “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart” with macroeconomic data and the division of labor at home.
To quote another musical queen, we’re “strong enough to bear the children - and get back to business.” And our economy is taking full advantage of it.
If you want to feel extremely productive in a short period of time, time yourself walking or running a mile. I haven’t run a mile in under 10 minutes until yesterday, and that tiny accomplishment had me flying through the rest of my day.
CDC says 3 women diagnosed with HIV after receiving 'vampire facial' (NPR)
I…I don’t even know what to say.
Please just heed the following warnings:
avoid compounded versions of medications that are in stock and available.
ask to see that the tools being used on your face are in clean, sealed packaging
if you can, get specialty aesthetic services from a dermatologist/nurse practitioner
A Cut Above: In conversation with the leading ladies of Heeramandi (Lifestyle Asia)
The last thing I need is a new show to watch - but Netflix has a hold on me, with Heeramandi and Bridgerton debuting in the coming weeks.
Heeramandi is focused on the life of courtesans in 1940s India (and Bollywood’s focus on tawaifs (courtesans) is thoughtfully unpacked here). Heeramandi is not Sanjay Leela Bhasali’s first project that centers on courtesans, but it is one that delves deeper in this world.
I try to avoid too much press or previews for shows and films I’m really excited to watch, but I think this interview with Heeramandi’s cast and the critique linked in this commentary are necessary reads before jumping into the show. I’m still excited to watch it, but I’m coming into it with some greater context and a more critical eye.
Parties see hope for a Gaza cease-fire: ‘Maybe this time it will work’ (Washington Post)
link gifted via my subscription
May this ceasefire come to pass, as soon as possible.
I need to look up why SLB is so fascinated with courtesans 🙃
Not enough people are talking about the NPR article!