Yeah, the generative AI pollution feels alot like the whole steel thing - since the nuclear tests it's been impossible for new steel to not be slightly radioactive, which means if they need uncontaminated steel they get it from ships that sunk before those.
This is the exact metaphor I've been using when talking to people about the issue. Did we both get it from somewhere I can't remember, or is it just perfect?
Luckily radiation levels have pretty much dropped back to pre-war levels now so new steel can be low-background as well. It was possible to make new low-background steel from 1945 onward too it just would have been more expensive than salvaging pre-war ships. I like the analogy though, it fits.
Isn't it the same with the upper atmosphere and humans more or less. I remember something about radio active tracker used which wouldn't be present if it were for nuclear testing etc.