Taylor Lorenz: Data center backlash driven by emotion, not facts
AndyMasley · x · 2026-08-22
Discussion regarding the public backlash against data centers suggests the reaction is rooted in emotion and trust rather than factual data about water or energy usage.
Key points:
- Fact-checking fails to sway opinion because people want to feel heard by tech companies, which they currently don't.
- Opposition is reasonable for specific cases, such as data centers powered by massive natural gas plants.
- The public lacks "buy-in" and feels tech billionaires don't care about their communities.
- @AndyMasley notes that using abrasive, specific numbers instead of appealing to emotions is a strategy to build a smart audience and create a buffer against tech companies.
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