Great essay! I think the other factor driving data center opposition is electricity inflation. Electricity price inflation is nearly three times higher than the overall rate of inflation. Before there was an explosion in data centers construction, the effects of data centers were mainly felt by the communities directly around them. Now the effects of them are much more diffuse and opposition to them is going to beyond traditional NIMBYism. I think the cost element on top of worries about the social ramifications of AI is having a lot of people to wonder if it’s all really worth it.
“What has New York created for the rest of the world?”
I know you were just musing, but I’d say the biggest thing New York creates is the arts, culture, and media. It’s the most important hub for English language culture in the world.
That SF is no longer considered cool and erotic (as it was until the 21st century) is a failure of tech culture to embrace the voices of humans and its own diverse population over digital feedback and immense wealth. DC has never been cool or erotic, so you're correct there. And yes, please travel more. Listening to more people outside of the teeny-tiny Substack backrub discourse will give your work more empathy and relevance.
Great essay! I think the other factor driving data center opposition is electricity inflation. Electricity price inflation is nearly three times higher than the overall rate of inflation. Before there was an explosion in data centers construction, the effects of data centers were mainly felt by the communities directly around them. Now the effects of them are much more diffuse and opposition to them is going to beyond traditional NIMBYism. I think the cost element on top of worries about the social ramifications of AI is having a lot of people to wonder if it’s all really worth it.
thanks for the context, super helpful
Travel more this was excellent
on it
Are you planning on spending more time reporting outside of SF? Reading this made me think it would be good for the project if you did
yes 100%
Jasmine: a great essay, thank you! It conveys so well the texture, contents and contrast that you encountered. Loved the final scene.
Are you writing anything about the unfolding contest between Moltbook + Kimi K2.5 and Clawdbot?
Cheers, Geremie
thank you for the kind words! I haven't been following that, but will look into it
“What has New York created for the rest of the world?”
I know you were just musing, but I’d say the biggest thing New York creates is the arts, culture, and media. It’s the most important hub for English language culture in the world.
That SF is no longer considered cool and erotic (as it was until the 21st century) is a failure of tech culture to embrace the voices of humans and its own diverse population over digital feedback and immense wealth. DC has never been cool or erotic, so you're correct there. And yes, please travel more. Listening to more people outside of the teeny-tiny Substack backrub discourse will give your work more empathy and relevance.
This was exceptional. Thanks!
Great piece that made me think. I particularly enjoyed the colourful vignettes. Travel more and bring your discerning SF perspective to new shores :D
"I want nuance to win, but I’m not confident it will." when and where does nuance "win"? in whatever terms ...
This was a great essay! Come back to DC soon
that last sentence, a cherry on top: just like the best stand-up performers do. good storytelling wraps around itself and rewards you. bravo!
DC looks great on you
Reads like a melody