If we build datacenters in a way that benefits everyone, i.e. not solely as the corrupt, private enterprises they’ve been so far, one that leans into our political economy’s strengths, I suspect we could do it more sustainably.
One side started ramrodding construction through secret council meetings [1] that arrested folks who spoke out against them [2]. (Or ignoring permits altogether [3].) That’s the side to blame for escalation.
It’s also the side that makes a moratorium rational while we figure out a process that works—assuming good faith doesn’t work when the guys building these things are being such clusterfucks locally and nationally.
People have been building datacenters for decades. This crop of idiots took a crap in the punch bowl and is now upset we won’t drink it.
[1] https://www.selc.org/news/were-suing-over-openais-secret-20b...
[2] https://www.404media.co/bodycam-footage-video-claremore-okla...
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/pollution-musks-unper...
To the point of folks getting arrested in multiple cities? About the same nationally-salient issue? No. Musk, Altman et al couldn't have been more effective if they'd been trying to create a national grassroots movement.
> people are mad. They are cutting off the nose to spite the face
This is an immature response to a real problem. Perhaps we need a changing of guard. Perhaps the folks currently at the helm simply lack the empathy to be effective at this job.