Opposing data centers is not going to make the demand for compute go away. We cannot expect technological progress while opposing the need to build the infrastructure around it. In fact, data centers will bring a plethora of local blue-collar jobs in construction, energy, infra, and the industries that grow around them. On the other side, big tech needs to be far more conscientious of the towns and states making this possible. If a community gives you its land, power, and water, make sure the locals get the most out of it. Jobs, better infra, cheaper energy, and a share in the gold of the mountain. Both sides need to think more liberally. The builders need to be good neighbors, and the naysayers need to recognize the scale of the moment we're living through. This should be a positive-sum game for everyone.