The article also discusses the potential of storing data in DNA, where 1 gram can encode 215 petabytes of information. By this measure, the internet's data could weigh 960,947 grams of DNA, comparable to 10.6 American males, one-third of a Cybertruck, or 64,000 strawberries. Despite the internet's negligible physical mass, it remains a significant and complex entity, with its true nature being "essentially unknowable." The article invites readers to consider the philosophical implications of these calculations and the evolving nature of data storage.
Key takeaways:
- The internet's mass can be theoretically calculated by considering the energy required to store and transmit data, with early estimates suggesting it weighs around 50 grams.
- Different methods of calculating the internet's weight, such as using the mass of electrons or server energy, yield varying results, highlighting the complexity of the task.
- Recent estimates suggest that the internet's data could be equivalent to 960,947 grams of DNA, which is comparable to the weight of 64,000 strawberries or one-third of a Cybertruck.
- Despite its almost negligible physical mass, the internet feels weighty due to its pervasive impact on billions of users worldwide.