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Data centers trigger voter backlash

newsweek.com

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Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#321

Post by hammock »

sanid wrote: post #233
esikich wrote: post #196

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't understand why people think they should be able to vote on things like this. Especially when they lack the necessary credentials to have an informed opinion on it.

So what are the topics people should be able to vote on? I don't think people have the necessary credentials to vote on immigration, drug price regulation, social media regulation? Why let people vote at all, they don't know anything apparently.

How about the nuclear button?

I’m curious where you personally draw the line.

Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#322

Post by susiecambria »

adamsb6 wrote: post #135
thewillowcat wrote: post #93

I can tell you, based on local examples, that politicians are setting up deals to bring in data centers without trying to build community support first. Not only that, they are often signing NDAs that prohibit them from telling voters what they have agreed to. It's no way to operate in a democracy, and voters are right to be angry.

I’m a voter who prefers we establish rules that be followed rather than encumber every project with a lengthy community dialogue.

Yes, rules are absolutely necessary. And community engagement is also essential. Community input might be tiring, frustrating, and the like but people get to speak as part of the process and because they have a right to.

Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#323

Post by WarmWash »

thewillowcat wrote: post #246
adamsb6 wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m a voter who prefers we establish rules that be followed rather than encumber every project with a lengthy community dialogue.

These companies aren't coming in, buying property at market rates, and developing it with existing infrastructure under current zoning laws. They usually want tax breaks, major infrastructure changes, and other accommodations and guarantees. It's completely reasonable for people to want a dialog with their representatives before those kinds of arrangements are made with a company on their behalf. And it's entirely re…

Usually the state gives tax breaks and the town gets double it's tax revenue. That's why the councils rush to vote yes, and $20-30M annually is a rounding error for the datacenter.

Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#324

Post by WarmWash »

mrtesthah wrote: post #120
colechristensen wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

Is it really a matter of "national security" when the technology at hand is being used in a way that unilaterally benefits a small class of oligarchs at the expense of the rest of society? That's not really in the benefit of the nation anymore, is it?

The technology at hand is essentially a genius in your pocket being given away for $20/mo.

I mean yeah, $20 is greater than free, but let's have a least a mild level of honesty here

Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#325

Post by defrost »

hammock wrote: post #321
sanid wrote: post #233

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So what are the topics people should be able to vote on? I don't think people have the necessary credentials to vote on immigration, drug price regulation, social media regulation? Why let people vote at all, they don't know anything apparently.

How about the nuclear button? I’m curious where you personally draw the line.

Using a nuclear strike first on the whim of an individual POTUS?

First use should be heavily debated and almost always avoided.

In response to {immediate pressing life threatening conditions at scale} .. they can be discussed and game planned well in advance and voted on - even if that vote is limited to a large pool with a breadth of military and diplomatic experience.

The current US practice of "POTUS can, like, do whatever" is pretty tragic.

Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#326

Post by twoodfin »

qurren wrote: post #192
miiiiiike wrote: post #154

It’s reaching the point of absurdity in my area. People are bringing “All data centers are flammable” signs to city meetings. A plot of land that’s already zoned for the heaviest of industrial activities, is across the street from a dump, 3 miles from an airport, 16 miles from a nuclear generating station, and in a region with good climate, and no water crunch is a pretty good place for a data center. Facts don’t mat…

> It’s really hard to explain that centers aren’t bad and are actually far more efficient than the alternatives. This isn't about efficiency, power, water, or fire. AT ALL. Massive amounts of people have their jobs and livelihood threatened. The datacenters, which are enabling that, are being deployed in their neighborhoods while everyone in that neighborhood goes jobless. There is no plan of relief in the form of be…

“Everyone in that neighborhood goes jobless”?

The US unemployment rate is currently 4.3%.

Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#327

Post by Vaslo »

spencerflem wrote: post #191
verdverm wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That may not be true for much longer given the (disappointing) trend 2020 - 79 : 20 (renewables : fossil fuel) 2026 - 57 : 42 https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2026/04/03/americans-shi...

Which is why it was a mistake to let Republicans vote

We will vote when we want - nothing you are going to do will possibly stop it lol

Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#328

Post by AmazingEveryDay »

xienze wrote: post #268
BigTTYGothGF wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> people on UBI are also rather useless UBI is going to get us a lot more artists of all kinds.

We currently have a not-insignificant population living the UBI dream. No job, section 8 housing, food stamps, free healthcare via going to the emergency room for everything and not simply not paying, as well as other social programs. What great art are these folks producing since they aren't burdened by having to work to survive? Mumble rap on Soundcloud? Shitty graffiti on every building?

Wait until you learn how the rich avoid taxes. You will gain a greater perspective.

Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#329

Post by yusefnapora »

esikich wrote: post #205
e40 wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Construction jobs, yes. After that, a skeleton crew and a bunch of people in far off places, possibly outside the country.

So? Since when is there a floor for the number of jobs a business has to create? Suzies Tanning Salon uses a lot of energy but only employs 3 people.

Presumably Suzie also serves the people in her community who want tanned skin but don't like the sun. A data center offers nothing of value to the community it's embedded in - neither jobs nor any useful product or service. All the benefits accrue to the owners, and the very real costs are paid by the people breathing in the fumes from the gas turbines, or paying an extra hundred bucks a month for power.

If you don't understand why people don't want them, you're probably trying not to. It's not that hard.

Re: Data centers trigger voter backlash

#330

Post by ghaff »

_DeadFred_ wrote: post #307
jnwatson wrote: post #281

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A meeting to get a lamp post change is exactly how progress stops. It is why we can't build anything in US and it costs a billion dollars per mile of high speed rail.

Communities passed and paid bonds to have water hookusp. Built infrastructure. They should have a say in who gets access and why. There are plenty of places datacenters could build without hassle, but they want access to readymade infra, and that comes with a reasonable tradeoff.

There are also traffic issues--likely less of an issue with datacenters or solar farms. But things like housing that put pressures on local schools are certainly issues--though again not really with datacenters which are more about power and water infrastructure.
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