In Episode 82 of Rabbit Hole of Research, Joe, Nick, Georgia, and Mary welcome back three-time returning guest (previously on Episodes 13 and 39) and “Friend of the Pod”, David Pincus, PhD, cell biologist at the University of Chicago, to the Basement Studio to talk data centers.

We dig into the water costs, why your electric bill is going up, whether space-based cooling is science or Handwavium, what cellular stress can teach us about AI resource allocation, should we use human values or cell behavior to guide AI training, and is there anything good that will come out of these Data Centers. And it wouldn’t be an episode with David if we didn’t go down all the unexpected rabbit holes, we talk lobster farms, “data furnace”, olympic swimming pools, and of course, Extremophiles!

Jim and Georgia's Touch of Noir 2027 Wall Calendar —

12 months of all-original art by Jim and Georgia; orders open now, with mailing expected in September

It’s Science for Weirdos

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We discussed these questions on the episode and now want to Hear From You (leave a comment):

Would you want a data center in your neighborhood? What would they have to offer to make it worth it?

Should we train AI with human values or cellular values?

What would you like to see AI used for? Are you optimistic that we will get there?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. We read them all, and your ideas often shape future episodes.

Future Episodes

Episode 84: ET

Guest: Chris Guzman (@theboxinggloveartist)

Episode 86: Disability in Horror

Guest: Grace Daly (Bram Stoker nominee)

Episode 88: Crazies

Recorded at Reed’s Local with Melissa and Luc

Episode 90: Witch Please

Guest: Bill Halliar (@skeletongue)

Future Events to Hang with the Crew:Podcast Cross-Appearances

Joe on GoIndieNow: 21grams with Joe Compton

RHR Crew on This Podcast Will Change Your Life with Ben Tanzer

Events & Conventions to hang with the Crew:

Events & Conventions:

Joe:

Dragon Con — Atlanta, GA (September 3-7, 2026) - Joe attending as a Professional on seven panels and Georgia will be around also!!

Maud’s READINGS at Printer’s Row Wine on Sep 19th 2-4pm

Art show Ultrastructure: Science is Fun, with Carol Estes at Promise You Art House in Highland IN, October 10th, 10-3pm

Family Day: Seeing the Invisible World to Build a New One; in conjunction with the fall exhibition: teamLab: Everything Exists in Infinite Continuity, at the Smart Museum of Art In Hyde Park, IL, Nov 14th, 11-3pm

Art and Science lecture about Zombies: Dec 10th

Georgia:

The inaugural 4th Street Print Fest at Chesterton Art Center, Saturday, October 3, from 1–4 PM

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