[ExI] I hate to say it but, I agree with Trump

[Mike Dougherty]

On Tue, Sep 1, 2026, 9:32 PM spike jones via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

>
> *A data center is being built within walking distance of where I live, so
> I talk to a number of neighbors about it.  I am surprised to find more
> opposition than support, and it is politically aligned: the generally left
> side of the spectrum doesn’t like it, the right side does.  *
>
>
>
> *I do not understand why data centers are developing a political
> orientation.  Do offer an explanation, anyone who has an insight.*
>
One bit pedantry first: data centers aren't developing political
orientation.

I posit that data centers are factories- the means of production, profit
for the owners; business.  Then the left/right division is already well
established.

Add the value signalling "ai slop" undermining "real art" and data centers
are the physical representation of dehumanising machinery.

They pollute our water - triggers the environmentalist (and people who
drink water)  this is destruction of the commons for corporate profit
again.

Instead of "ban them" vs "build them" we should be establishing the
regulation of data center infrastructure for pollutants like any
petrochemical plant, including noise pollution from fans and whatever
distance the data center hum can be felt - because it is a frequency that
may be unhealthy to be exposed to 24/7.  Many suburban housing communities
have installed sound walls to mitigate traffic noise along the multi-lane
highways running through/near them, so why not mitigate data centers?

I wonder if we put externalized costs back onto data center operators if it
becomes feasible to build underground structures for them?
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