The world of strongman competitions has seen some incredible feats of strength, but none may have matched Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson’s recent demonstration at the SD24 computing conference. Known for his monumental win at the 2019 World’s Strongest Man competition and his memorable role as Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane in HBO’s Game of Thrones, Björnsson’s recent stunt showcased not just physical strength but also a clever marketing strategy using technology.
During the SD24 conference, Hafþór Björnsson executed what can only be termed as a “deadlift of data.” He hoisted a staggering 996 lbs, which was not just a hefty barbell but a massive array of 128 terabyte solid-state drives (SSDs). This feat, as reported initially by Tom’s Hardware, isn’t just groundbreaking in terms of physical achievement; it also represents one of the most expensive lifts ever executed. The SSDs used in this demonstration are expected to retail for more than $10,000 each, making the potential total value of Björnsson’s lift approximately $32 million.
The performance wasn’t merely for show; it was orchestrated by HPC infrastructure company VDURA and hard drive manufacturer Phison. The event was prominent for its intent to shine a light on Phison’s cutting-edge 128TB SSDs, which are primarily aimed at the data center industry. By leveraging a famed strongman’s public appeal, the companies brilliantly intertwined the realms of strength sports and tech innovation.
Björnsson’s lift was more than just a demonstration of strength; it was a recreation of a historical lifting method known as the “silver dollar” deadlift. This method, which traditionally involved heavy weights akin to actual silver dollars for increased difficulty, was adapted to feature colossal storage devices instead. Instead of traditional weights that have defined strength competitions throughout the years, Björnsson’s crates contained an extraordinary amount of data storage – a whopping 282 petabytes, equivalent to 282,000 terabytes.
The idea of lifting such an amount of data invokes a playful consideration for data consumption, suggesting that even a heavy gamer would never need to worry about running out of space for their digital library again. However, this also underscores practicalities, such as the significant issues surrounding transporting such a monumental lift, specifically the logistics and additional fees that airlines might impose for 996 lbs of checked baggage.
To grasp the full amplitude of Björnsson’s lift, it’s essential to delve deeper into pricing dynamics in the SSD market. The SSD industry is rife with significant price disparities. Phison’s impressive 128TB SSDs were compared to Solidigm’s 62TB SSD priced at about $7,000. Analysts speculate that a 128TB SSD from Solidigm could stand at roughly $14,000, which aligns with many other high-capacity drives within the consumer range of $40-$90 per terabyte. If we accept that Björnsson hoisted 2,303 individual 128TB drives, the grand total of the weight he lifted underscores not just a physical achievement, but highlights the immense economic stakes at play in rapidly advancing technological markets.
With such a sensational lift raising the bar, it paves the way for potential rivalries to be rekindled within the strongman community. Notably, Björnsson’s long-time opponent Eddie Hall, the 2017 World’s Strongest Man, might seek to reclaim the spotlight by executing an even bolder display of strength. There’s anticipation that Hall could attempt to deadlift an equivalent or even more extensive set of highly valuable SSDs, thereby setting a new world record for what could be called a new category: the deadlift of data.
Hafþór Björnsson’s performance at the SD24 conference didn’t just shatter expectations in the realm of strength sports; it transformed perceptions about data technology and its value. As industries converge in preposterous yet innovative ways, this event serves as a reminder of how cross-disciplinary events can engage larger audiences while promoting remarkable advancements. The spectacle of the “deadlift of data” marks a new chapter both for Björnsson’s impressive career and for the tech community’s ability to capture public imagination creatively.