dax1928

Sure, the current draw per byte of information exchanged is negligible. But I'm curious as to how these millions of cheap, low-power IoT devices can essentially act as transistors in the sense that their requests can prompt more relatively higher current draw elsewhere. Once again, this draw is likely miniscule.

In theory, if every internet connected device in the world could be a part of Mirai, not only would we not be able to use the internet, but wouldn't the majority of datacenters be running at full capacity?

Is there a way to determine electricity used during all of this? Certainly each IoT device has low bandwidth and load draw, but each of their service requests is honored the same as any normal human request. A small signal from a device prompts more electricity in potentially multiple servers upstream until the host can satisfy the request. So are there potentially thousands of kWh being wasted even with mitigation? Or can requests from certain IP's be denied and thus electricity saved?

There needs to be an international standard to avoid things like this.

Some people have pride in needing less. I have always been paranoid that I overstay my welcome, or that I'm too needy. I obsess over efficiency, and strive to require less to function than the others around me. I seek to be a provider, not a consumer - that sort of reputation is an ideal (especially here in the South) and proves that I am stronger. It is a constant competition that ultimately enable my species (specifically the environment in which it dwells) to have more resources to work with.

Do not fall victim to envy and anger at the "one-percent". They have great responsibility, and there will exist a balance if they do not properly manage their resources (not necessarily in the form of redistribution). Just find the humor in the silly things money buys that only offer the utility of announcing wealth.