data center road trip // day 6-7

I don't think the data center backlash is about AI being evil or risky — but it does reflect people finding AI uniquely useless

for example: is the data center backlash just like the backlash to solar farms? both movements use classic NIMBY playbooks: FB groups, FOIA requests, packing city council. both also involve land use tensions between rural towns and state directives

yet the Saline, MI activists I met were pro-solar and anti-data center. first, data center deals are more secretive with more NDAs and bigger $$ amounts. second, solar was supported by environmentalists even if hated by farmers: it generates power instead of consuming it

it seems pretty clear that AI lacks a strong pro faction. plenty of folks are agnostic on data centers, and plenty hate them, but the only people truly excited are tech billionaires and utility companies — the least sympathetic entities you could have on your side