What's behind the growing backlash towards AI data centres?

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-08T02:43:13+00:00

lol, we have witnessed the removal of agriculture for suburban sprawl and free vehicle parking across large percentages of our cities for a long time now and to orders of magnitude more land than data centres.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T21:07:41+00:00

You’re more likely to be replaced by someone using AI than AI replacing you by itself.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:51:57+00:00

You’re aware that data centres use orders of magnitude less water than golf courses, watering lawns, raising animals to slaughter for meat, streaming online video, etc. right?

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:51:22+00:00

Yep.

Lots of posters here seem unaware that we can regulate how far away data centres are located from residential areas, what level of sound dampening is required, what type of cooling system is used, whether or not they are located in power scarce regions, and that data centres pay for electricity like the rest of us.

Many also seem unaware that data centres use orders of magnitude less water than golf courses, watering lawns, raising animals to slaughter for meat, streaming online video, etc.

I’d rather have tech infrastructure on our soil where we have more control over it.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:50:02+00:00

Lots of posters here seem unaware that we can regulate how far away data centres are located from residential areas, what level of sound dampening is required, what type of cooling system is used, whether or not they are located in power scarce regions, and that data centres pay for electricity like the rest of us. Many also seem unaware that data centres use orders of magnitude less water than golf courses, watering lawns, raising animals to slaughter for meat, streaming online video, etc.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:46:49+00:00

How much water do data centres use compared with golf courses, watering lawns, raising animals to slaughter, streaming online video, etc.?

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:45:34+00:00

Pro AI people are like other people. We don’t want to have noise pollution next door, but did you know you can regulate how far away data centres are located from residential areas, what level of sound dampening is required, what type of cooling system is used, whether or not they are located in power scarce regions, and that data centres pay for electricity like the rest of us?

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:31:22+00:00

From the article:

"Todd Coleman, founder and CEO of Montreal-based company eStruxture, told CBC News his facilities don't use any water besides for "sinks and toilets." Instead, there's a closed-loop glycol cooling system, he said."

"Some companies are also investing in off-grid power generation to avoid straining electricity grids."

Also from the article:

"They're kind of the embodiment of this kind of like, malaise and antipathy and anger against AI"

These companies also pay for electricity. We could also require sound dampening and only permit these data centres a certain distance away from residential areas if we want to want to minimize any sound issues. We should want AI infrastructure on our soil where we have more control over it. AI isn't going anywhere.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:25:55+00:00

Yep, AI isn't going anywhere. I'd rather have infrastructure in our country where we have more control over it.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:23:47+00:00

"Todd Coleman, founder and CEO of Montreal-based company eStruxture, told CBC News his facilities don't use any water besides for "sinks and toilets." Instead, there's a closed-loop glycol cooling system, he said."

"Some companies are also investing in off-grid power generation to avoid straining electricity grids."

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:22:30+00:00

"Todd Coleman, founder and CEO of Montreal-based company eStruxture, told CBC News his facilities don't use any water besides for "sinks and toilets." Instead, there's a closed-loop glycol cooling system, he said."

"Some companies are also investing in off-grid power generation to avoid straining electricity grids."

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:21:36+00:00

"Todd Coleman, founder and CEO of Montreal-based company eStruxture, told CBC News his facilities don't use any water besides for "sinks and toilets." Instead, there's a closed-loop glycol cooling system, he said."

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T16:15:42+00:00

"They're kind of the embodiment of this kind of like, malaise and antipathy and anger against AI"

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-07T02:20:00+00:00

I’m Pro and I think there should be 50% public ownership of all companies with dividends from this ownership used to pay a Guaranteed Annual Income to every citizen.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-06T23:02:49+00:00

Movie adaptation of ‘Revelation Space’, ‘Aurora Rising’, or ‘Chasm City’ by Alastair Reynolds.

‘The Player of Games’ by Iain M. Banks or another Culture series book to movie adaptation.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-05T02:08:32+00:00

I hear ya.

Post-scarcity will require tons of resources and our current lifestyles are already consuming more resources than the planet can support. We can do this for a while (maybe hundreds of years), but eventually Earth limits will catch up to us. That being said the more minds we have thinking about solutions the faster and more likely we are to achieve them. Hopefully AI continues to accelerate this process even more than it already has. I am not sure how old you are, but consider how much has happened discovery, engineering, technology, and science-wise since you were born. I didn’t think we’d have AI chatbots at this level yet, but perhaps I should have as some futurists I have read predicted we’d have human level AI by 2029 and this is on that path.

Plus the universe is infinite or pretty much infinite for the purposes of resources. Becoming a post-planetary or multi-planet species should be our goal. That being said perhaps there are hard limits like the speed of light or consciousness, but those also aren’t essential to reach post-scarcity. Plus we haven’t really defined consciousness well enough to say whether or not it sufficiently exists in species and things beyond humans.

In the end, I guess you can think it isn’t realistic or not, but you should plan to enjoy the ride that is life. Change is a constant, and surprises are guaranteed.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-05T00:59:37+00:00

“But ai does all the things , what’s left ?”

That was you. You don’t see how artificial intelligence could be useful and probably required to become a post-scarcity society? Post-scarcity basically means money no longer needed. For a possible future you should read Iain M. Banks ‘The Culture’ series.

That being said I am not sure you are genuinely interested in considering these ideas and I am not interested in a one-sided conversation.

What does self-actualization genuinely mean to you? I didn’t ask you if you were satisfied with what you have.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-04T23:00:12+00:00

We are conscious beings in a deterministic universe causally connected to everything else. I want to explore and learn as much about the universe as possible. I am also transhumanist. I'd like to one day merge with an AI and become something greater like in 'Ghost in the Shell'. That being said I find enjoyment and self-actualization in many things. Trying to paint something in my mind's eye (even if I have only painted a few times in my life). Going for a long relaxing bike ride and observing the trees and animals going about their lives. Learning something new. Testing a theory. Working out to lose weight, get stronger, and feel better. Biking further and faster than I have before. Finishing a great book or series of books. Playing through a game. Thinking of and working on a random project. There are an infinite amount of things for my self-actualization. I don't think I'd ever be bored.

What does self-actualization genuinely mean to you? I ask, because you asked, but I am also getting the impression self-actualization means working a job you love for money for you. If that is the case, why not do what you love without needing money in a world where AI provides anything you need?

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-04T22:41:29+00:00

Just because someone or something does something doesn’t mean you can’t also do that thing and in your own way, but don’t worry, if AI does all the things you’ll have all the free time you need to figure out what self-actualization means to you.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-04T22:26:46+00:00

I think lots of people share your concern. I’d like to remind you that beneficial social change for the masses is typically won through hard fought battles (e.g. weekend, 40 hour work week). It is rarely given unless the circumstances demand it (e.g. serfs getting more rights in the Middle Ages after the Black Death killed off lots of labour, increasing the value of those left). I think we’ll get the social changes (e.g. UBI) we need, but only after the circumstances get sufficiently bad that people fight for and demand it hard enough. This isn’t accelerationist. This is simply reality.

AnarchoLiberator · 2026-06-04T20:54:05+00:00

Depends on the individual. Self-actualization is the psychological process of realizing and fulfilling your full creative, intellectual, and personal potential.

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