Lately, I have intentionally done a lot of reading and listening trying to correctly understand the impact of data centers to the areas they are in and going to be in, as well as understand the future implications of advanced AI applications and technology. Where is the truth? Was the science fiction writing of the past prophetic? What should we fear? And on and on.
I still don't have a clue! Though most of the matters will not impact my aging old soul, but it will my kids. Brad

US Data Center Map

They're trying to build one near Mammoth Cave's park in Cave City KY but they put a moratorium to stop it, and now that company is suing the city because they passed the year long moratorium nine days after the company submitted plans, suing on grounds of violating statutory procedures. Personally the largest fear I have for AI is the lack of regulation for the people in charge of it.
kentucky.com/news/state/kentuc...0347.html
My area is karst and has a lot of sinkholes from where water breaks up the limestone in the ground, so making sure there are rules for how those companies do away with their wastewater is important. The company already had a plan for the water, but there are other things that could affect the citizens such as other pollutions or higher prices that they should probably get a say on.

I have these regulation concerns, but also think we can't not participate in future technologies. Some people are also more concerned with how AI is being overused in everything which seems to create an inflated demand for the data centers.

The last way it's affected me is the cost of consumer storage and memory when I bought them to build my computer in 2022 have doubled and tripled since for the exact same parts so I'm just glad I got it when I did.

Our city leaders are talking up a data center in our area and most I've talked to are against it because we're in a drought, barely have enough water for our needs and about the same thing for electricity, it's at the ragged edge, too. For that reason, most of us don't want one here. Is it going to be build anyway? Probably. Our leaders pay little to no attention to what the citizens want... or need.

I think people across the board are concerned about the lack of transparency and regulation, and rightly so.

We have been in our house in the "country" for the past 29 years. Recently Facebook and Google bought hundreds of acres a half mile from our house and built massive campuses. Here is the new reality for us:
- our back roads were not built for the traffic so we are dealing with a never ending onslaught of increased traffic, road construction, lane and road closures
- contrary to claims of these being job creators, it does seem most of the jobs are going to foreigners who may or may not be in the country legally. They are lousy drivers. It is also my understanding that after the construction is complete only about 50 people will be left working to maintain the facilities
- light pollution. Imagine being in the country and a large city moving in next door. Can't see near as many stars at night
- noise pollution. Constant humming and construction related crashing banging noises. The humming is constant.
- air pollution. This is one I cannot prove but a year and a half ago I started having breathing problems while doing yard work. Never experienced this before and I have been to a pulmonologist and had numerous tests run. So far the docs haven't figured it out but the only thing that has changed in my life is the data centers moving in next door. I am a non smoker.
- One of the supposed benefits is increased tax revenue to help the local community. It is my understanding that in Ohio, our former governor John Kasich sold us out years ago by offering 25 year tax abatements.
- Water consumption. So far, our wells are operating properly and we haven't noticed a change to our water. But a neighbor who has a spring fed pond in his yard has seen the water level drop by several feet despite the flooding and record rainfall we have had in August / Sept.

In summary, we are looking to move in the next couple years and hope that our property values won't be too badly damaged. Our town has a ballot referendum this November to ban construction of any new data center. I expect it to pass with great enthusiasm.

The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can't believe it is happening!

I hear reports of water shortages and constant loud annoying noises. Those are two very valid reasons to not want a data center in your community, IF those reports are true. As with anything these days, trusted sources are hard to find. The fact that companies keep trying to sneak them in and somehow have complete political support despite widespread popular opposition makes me most suspicious. If they are a truly good thing, then be open about your intentions and promote the benefits and get the community onboard. That is NOT what has been happening.

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can't believe it is happening!

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"Backwards and poor" sounds kinda familiar...

I'm trying to decide if you're being sarcastic, but so far no luck. 

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Originally posted by Laurence Diehl

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can't believe it is happening!

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"Backwards and poor" sounds kinda familiar...

I'm trying to decide if you're being sarcastic, but so far no luck. 

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Those are not my words. Highlight, copy, paste in google, search. 

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can't believe it is happening!

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Actually, I'm starting to see some credible reporting that they're actively involved in making it happen.

As someone who's been involved with communications campaigns for roughly 40 years, I've gotta say that the current hubbub about data centers and AI has all the hallmarks of a carefully designed and deeply financed campaign. IMO, this is all about following the money.

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Originally posted by eagleisland

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can't believe it is happening!

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Actually, I'm starting to see some credible reporting that they're actively involved in making it happen.

As someone who's been involved with communications campaigns for roughly 40 years, I've gotta say that the current hubbub about data centers and AI has all the hallmarks of a carefully designed and deeply financed campaign. IMO, this is all about following the money.

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Where there is smoke...  This could eventually be our end. 

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

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Originally posted by Laurence Diehl

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can't believe it is happening!

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"Backwards and poor" sounds kinda familiar...

I'm trying to decide if you're being sarcastic, but so far no luck. 

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Those are not my words. Highlight, copy, paste in google, search. 

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I recognized it immediately from Truth Social

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can't believe it is happening!

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Tech companies specifically target poor rural areas for their data centers. There are reasons for this, not the least of which is that, since most of these towns are small and poor, they don't have the money to pay for the lawyers required to fight off the tech companies. 

Most of the revenues earned from data centers go back to the tech companies. The local communities end up receiving little to no benefit, since most data centers are built using subsidies such as tax abatements and the like. Whatever revenues these data centers bring to the local communities are far outweighed by the costs of upgrading the infrastructure, not to mention the burden these data centers place on local resources (water, electricity), the health threats they pose (noise and light pollution, the dust they kick up from their construction), the destruction of the ecosystem and other environmental threats they pose.

There is most likely a more sustainable alternative to the current data center model, but this would require tech companies to be responsible citizens. But holding tech companies accountable for the dangers they pose to society - and the planet - is a losing battle (see: legal fees, "lobbying" (i.e. bribing) of government officials, etc.)

You're old enough to remember when the scarecrow was Japan, not China. The true threat to the US is and always has been Americans.

I'm for carefully watched and planned AI.
I want full transparency and oversight over something this new and powerful.
Something that's good for all of us should be able to be scrutinized and held back,if necessary.

If it's just for rich people then I don't like it.We've all got to live here.

How carefully we tread around polltics…..

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Originally posted by Mickhammer

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

The only reason that communities throughout the U.S.A. should not want Data Centers is if they want to end up being backwards and poor. If they want to be successful and rich, with far lower taxes and jobs all over the place, let Data Reign. The good news is that there are plenty of other places that want them. If we kill the Golden Goose, you will only have yourselves to blame. China could not be happier with this anti Data Center movement. Actually, they can't believe it is happening!

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Tech companies specifically target poor rural areas for their data centers. There are reasons for this, not the least of which is that, since most of these towns are small and poor, they don't have the money to pay for the lawyers required to fight off the tech companies. 

Most of the revenues earned from data centers go back to the tech companies. The local communities end up receiving little to no benefit, since most data centers are built using subsidies such as tax abatements and the like. Whatever revenues these data centers bring to the local communities are far outweighed by the costs of upgrading the infrastructure, not to mention the burden these data centers place on local resources (water, electricity), the health threats they pose (noise and light pollution, the dust they kick up from their construction), the destruction of the ecosystem and other environmental threats they pose.

There is most likely a more sustainable alternative to the current data center model, but this would require tech companies to be responsible citizens. But holding tech companies accountable for the dangers they pose to society - and the planet - is a losing battle (see: legal fees, "lobbying" (i.e. bribing) of government officials, etc.)

You're old enough to remember when the scarecrow was Japan, not China. The true threat to the US is and always has been Americans.

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Agreed.

I am afraid that the A.I. ...Genie is outa the bottle..

Like many other man made things....
We now halfto deal with it...

Like it..or not...

Just another thing that may be miss used..
Or..Hopefully used for the good..of all..

Good,sensible regulations will be welcomed.

An international,emergency summit meeting would be nice.

I don't know anything about them. I was thinking about just driving out to one and see for myself what they even look like. Maybe see if I can get a tour.

It started with enormous hog confinements for your bacon. (Continous stench)
Then ethanol plants. Can you say candle in a fog?
Half have gone broke.
Then came the wind turbines What happens with days and weeks of stillness? ( noise pollution when they work)
Soon data centers. I have all confidence of the same wonderfulness of the other wonderfull futeristic efforts.
Oh, and how come we all die of cancer out here?
By the time china or a.i. come for us, we'll be dead.

I'm not in agreement with them as I'm not a tech person who thinks that everything needs saved forever as data.

However, I do see the need to keep up with the rest of the world, because some of which would certainly use their data superiority against us.

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Originally posted by steve davis

An international,emergency summit meeting would be nice.

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Any time an industry presses for regulation of themselves, it is not with good intentions.

Why do the companies no just regulate on their own? 

My guess is that this "regulation" is to push out competition. 

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

quote:

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Originally posted by steve davis

An international,emergency summit meeting would be nice.

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Any time an industry presses for regulation of themselves, it is not with good intentions.

Why do the companies no just regulate on their own? 

My guess is that this "regulation" is to push out competition. 

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Probly a pretty good ..guess..