Blake Neff(@BlakeSNeff):One can have mixed opinions about AI itself, but the revolt against data centers is a very ugly sign for the U.S. It shows America headed in the direction of Europe, developing the moral sense that any kind of development or economic activity is somehow immoral, so it’s better to just not have such things. The proper response to worries about water is to point out that it is a hysterical lie (data center water use is minuscule compared to agriculture or other industries); the proper response to worries about electricity is to build more power plants as quickly as possible. The end result of this panic will be economic stagnation and domination by foreign powers that choose growth.

2026.05.19 15:23

One can have mixed opinions about AI itself, but the revolt against data centers is a very ugly sign for the U.S. It shows America headed in the direction of Europe, developing the moral sense that any kind of development or economic activity is somehow immoral, so it’s better to just not have such things. The proper response to worries about water is to point out that it is a hysterical lie (data center water use is minuscule compared to agriculture or other industries); the proper response to worries about electricity is to build more power plants as quickly as possible. The end result of this panic will be economic stagnation and domination by foreign powers that choose growth.