NIMBY On Data Centers Exposes Socialism’s Weakness

In the ongoing controversy over the impact of proposed and actual data centers on energy and water resources, we’re seeing a development similar to what has occurred in the past with proposed nuclear power plants or nuclear waste storage sites. That is, the general consensus from coast to coast is to say, “Not in my back yard” - NIMBY. That attitude flies in the face of a basic tenet of socialism, does it not?

Socialism as a form of government is built on two entirely fallacious assumptions. First and foremost, socialism ignores that the vast majority of humans are about self-interest first, followed usually by their concern for family members and close associates. Exceptions who are first other-centered are usually so only to the extent that they have sold out to Jesus Christ.

Socialism, on the other hand, is all about individuals being cogs in what the government calls “the greater good.” The problem with this is that the “greater good” can mean a multitude of different things to different people; getting everyone to always row in the same direction toward the same goal is about as likely as herding cats. And herding them at gunpoint always results in failure. Let’s face it: the last time the general population in the U.S. rowed in the same direction was during World War II, when we faced a truly existential threat.

Second, socialism, in promising equal outcomes for all, implicitly assumes that men and women will shed their self-interest and competitive natures to support the government’s promise. Not bloody likely. Just look at the oft-mentioned, and plausible, real-life example of the two college students. The first, who studies hard and earns an “A” compared to her friend who sloughs off and earns an “F,” only to have the professor give both of them a “C” to assure equal outcomes. The “A” student is going to feel resentful and ripped off, and rightly so.

As the self-appointed arbiters of what comprises the “greater good,” today’s Democrats have failed in many ways to get it right. Was it for the “greater good” that millions of illegal immigrants were allowed to flood over our borders during the Biden years? Or that an ongoing $2 trillion was layered onto an already bloated federal budget both during and after the COVID-19 debacle? These are just a couple of the more visible examples.

Regarding data centers, the Dems are buying into the “NIMBY” strategy by emphasizing the evils of both the data centers and the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) that makes the data centers necessary. For instance, Florida’s Democrat candidate for governor, David Jolly, is making that the centerpiece of his attacks on the Republican candidate, Rep. Byron Donalds. A surprising strategy indeed given that Donalds is joined at the hip with the Dems’ favorite whipping boy, Donald Trump. As they have done with so many issues in the past, the Dems are hoping their tactics will sufficiently scare voters and achieve the desired results.

In their banking on the fear factors, both real and imagined, regarding data centers and AI, the Dems either ignore or minimize potential benefits, such as a significant increase in jobs for the construction and operation of the centers. It’s probably not coincidental that the Dems’ position has the Communist Chinese leaders smiling, since our self-imposed slowdowns or roadblocks on AI development could allow our number one adversary in the technology race to pass us in this critical area. So, while the Dems are busy condemning Trump for meeting with CCP leader Xi, let alone engaging in discussions about AI, they are supporting a strategy that will cause American AI development to stagnate in comparison to the Chinese, who have no qualms about going full speed ahead with their AI programs.

It’s also ironic that the party that’s all about the “greater good” will make their appeals to the basest self-interest of their voting blocs – promises of free stuff and benefits such as Medicare for All (a pipe dream if there ever was one). This shows the ultimately cynical nature of the Dems in their never-ending quest for political power. 

Given the current popularity of socialism in our country, it’s apparent that many Americans have forgotten about, or never learned, that to keep our freedoms, a lot of sacrifices and hard work are required. As conservatives, if there’s anything we should fear about AI, it’s that the AI monster will grow big and powerful enough to take our freedoms away. But, given the choice of taking that risk or the risk of falling behind the Chinese with all of the potentially negative implications, I think I’d prefer to take my chances with AI.