Alberta's data centre critics claim the province regulates nothing, that investment is fleeing, and that a bust would ruin Albertans. I show here how each claim collapses on inspection.
The power of the radical “Green Agenda” - even in right-wing Alberta. When the arguments are refuted, then “NIMBY” takes over…
“Their own town halls answer the question. Participants cited “the disruptive cultural effect of generative AI” as a reason to oppose the projects. Others objected to foreign control of data, or to the personalities of the billionaires involved. They never mentioned these when they championed the AI tech they wanted to bring. And notice that none of these grievances burns a single molecule of gas. The objections would survive the greenest power source on earth, which means the power source was never the true objection. The emissions argument is the respectable costume. Underneath it stands a plain dislike of the industry and of the people building it.”
I am admittedly ignorant on what a data center actually does & the purpose that it serves. I am suspicious of Mark Zuckerberg & META. I don’t trust them.
On the other hand, there is the economic & employment upsides.
The one factor that, perhaps, tips the scales to supporting the data center:
Nenshi is against it.
That socialist TeleTubby has never advocated for, or against, anything correctly.
It is said that exporting wheat is a way to export water without a pipeline. The logic is that places with water grow wheat, and that wheat is exported to places without the same water resources. The data centres also export natural gas, without the pipelines, converting the gas into data. What purpose the wheat or data is put to is a different question (both can prop up bad governments or help people)
Not down with this argument. This is a sop to Alberta’s need to develop it’s resouces. The 300 jobs are a pittance in comparison, if they are even real.
Terry, I understand your argument. Having said that, understanding what you say is different than agreeing that you are or are not correct; I simply don't know at this point.
I politely request that you comment as to whether you agree or disagree. with the specific points that Dr Navarro-Genie makes. I don't ask you to change your conclusion which is stated in the final line of your comment. Instead I ask if you agree or disagree with the specific points he makes; if you disagree, please inform me as to why you do so.
Again, I am not asking you to agree that AI data centers are a public good but simply whether the particular points he makes are correct.
Thank you for your anticipated response; I am simply trying to get my mind around the arguments for and against. Your point in the final line of your column is not addressed by the good doctor - and perhaps it should be addressed in a different column - but the issue that you raise is different than the ones he deals with, so let's determine first if his commentary has merit and then we can discuss your issue.
The power of the radical “Green Agenda” - even in right-wing Alberta. When the arguments are refuted, then “NIMBY” takes over…
“Their own town halls answer the question. Participants cited “the disruptive cultural effect of generative AI” as a reason to oppose the projects. Others objected to foreign control of data, or to the personalities of the billionaires involved. They never mentioned these when they championed the AI tech they wanted to bring. And notice that none of these grievances burns a single molecule of gas. The objections would survive the greenest power source on earth, which means the power source was never the true objection. The emissions argument is the respectable costume. Underneath it stands a plain dislike of the industry and of the people building it.”
I am rather ambivalent in this issue.
I am admittedly ignorant on what a data center actually does & the purpose that it serves. I am suspicious of Mark Zuckerberg & META. I don’t trust them.
On the other hand, there is the economic & employment upsides.
The one factor that, perhaps, tips the scales to supporting the data center:
Nenshi is against it.
That socialist TeleTubby has never advocated for, or against, anything correctly.
Thank you. I am too, and I have not yet decided. Thank you for understanding that my lack of condemnation does not equal endorsement.
It is said that exporting wheat is a way to export water without a pipeline. The logic is that places with water grow wheat, and that wheat is exported to places without the same water resources. The data centres also export natural gas, without the pipelines, converting the gas into data. What purpose the wheat or data is put to is a different question (both can prop up bad governments or help people)
Not down with this argument. This is a sop to Alberta’s need to develop it’s resouces. The 300 jobs are a pittance in comparison, if they are even real.
Data Centers = surveillance and control centers.
Terry, I understand your argument. Having said that, understanding what you say is different than agreeing that you are or are not correct; I simply don't know at this point.
I politely request that you comment as to whether you agree or disagree. with the specific points that Dr Navarro-Genie makes. I don't ask you to change your conclusion which is stated in the final line of your comment. Instead I ask if you agree or disagree with the specific points he makes; if you disagree, please inform me as to why you do so.
Again, I am not asking you to agree that AI data centers are a public good but simply whether the particular points he makes are correct.
Thank you for your anticipated response; I am simply trying to get my mind around the arguments for and against. Your point in the final line of your column is not addressed by the good doctor - and perhaps it should be addressed in a different column - but the issue that you raise is different than the ones he deals with, so let's determine first if his commentary has merit and then we can discuss your issue.