America on Data Centers: 10k city council comments
An analysis of over 10,000 public comments reveals widespread opposition to data center developments across the United States. The data suggests that concerns vary by political and geographic lines, with rural areas focusing on community character and urban areas on transparency.
Why it matters
This highlights the growing friction between infrastructure expansion and local community interests, providing insight into public sentiment regarding tech industry growth.
Public comments don't always match America's true sentiment, but our nation is clearly at a fever pitch of data center opposition.
Even isolating for only meetings with any supporters, they were outnumbered 6:1.
Accusations of corruption also frequently occur, but are overwhelmingly false.
Many stated that they don't believe the proposed benefits will end up arriving.
Comments naming each company. An AI lab's bar counts the lab or its founder, and in a lighter shade, comments that name only its chatbot.
Highest net worth: Elon Musk. Lowest: Kevin O'Leary or Mustafa Suleyman.
Surprisingly, 4/5 comments don't mention AI at all.
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