In a bizarre twist, the fight against data centers – those behemoths of computing power that consume enormous amounts of electricity and perpetuate automation and job displacement – has taken an unexpected turn. As communities worldwide are protesting these massive facilities, often citing concerns over their environmental impact and potential effects on local jobs markets, there's been surprisingly little resistance to the factories that supply them.
In Texas, for example, a city council meeting recently saw residents objecting to a proposal for a second data center near one of the speakers' homes. But when they discovered that the site had also been chosen by a Taiwanese manufacturer called Compal, which was seeking to build a server factory there, not many spoke out against it.
"It was like we just didn't see what was happening," says Pamela Griffin, one of the residents who attended the meeting and tried to voice her concerns. "It's like they were expecting us to be happy about that."
Griffin's case highlights what communities fighting data centers are up against if they consider also challenging manufacturing projects: a lack of transparency, public perception, and the risk of additional legal battles.
While data center factories do create jobs – but often in areas with limited economic opportunities – many experts point out that their environmental footprint is far greater. Moreover, factories tend to be more efficient than data centers when it comes to resource usage.
As the fight against data centers continues, it's clear that activists need a strategy. Some are suggesting targeting the supply chain itself, where manufacturers like Compal and Pegatron make server parts for these massive facilities. But others argue that it's difficult to take on multiple fronts at once, given the resources required to challenge these complex issues.
For now, the door remains open for companies to set up their US manufacturing operations near areas with growing data centers, without facing significant opposition from local residents or officials.
"It's an opportunity for us to be part of the community for many years to come," says Rick Ortiz, Compal's head of US human resources.
In Texas, for example, a city council meeting recently saw residents objecting to a proposal for a second data center near one of the speakers' homes. But when they discovered that the site had also been chosen by a Taiwanese manufacturer called Compal, which was seeking to build a server factory there, not many spoke out against it.
"It was like we just didn't see what was happening," says Pamela Griffin, one of the residents who attended the meeting and tried to voice her concerns. "It's like they were expecting us to be happy about that."
Griffin's case highlights what communities fighting data centers are up against if they consider also challenging manufacturing projects: a lack of transparency, public perception, and the risk of additional legal battles.
While data center factories do create jobs – but often in areas with limited economic opportunities – many experts point out that their environmental footprint is far greater. Moreover, factories tend to be more efficient than data centers when it comes to resource usage.
As the fight against data centers continues, it's clear that activists need a strategy. Some are suggesting targeting the supply chain itself, where manufacturers like Compal and Pegatron make server parts for these massive facilities. But others argue that it's difficult to take on multiple fronts at once, given the resources required to challenge these complex issues.
For now, the door remains open for companies to set up their US manufacturing operations near areas with growing data centers, without facing significant opposition from local residents or officials.
"It's an opportunity for us to be part of the community for many years to come," says Rick Ortiz, Compal's head of US human resources.
. It feels like no one's stopping these manufacturers from coming in and setting up shop near our communities. I mean, we're fighting data centers that are sucking the life out of our planet, but when a manufacturer comes to town, everyone just rolls over? That doesn't seem right to me.
. We need to stand together and make some noise.
. I mean, who doesn't love a good server factory? It's not like we're just gonna sit back and let all that electricity go to waste, no way 
. And those jobs in the area might be limited, but hey, at least they're something, right? 
Plus, these factories are supposedly more efficient than data centers, so that's a plus for the environment... I guess 
.
. If people aren't speaking up when they see an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something big, what's wrong with them? 
It's like they're just waiting for someone else to do it for them. And those activists who think they need a strategy? Please, they should just give up now 
.
. It's not like these factories are gonna disrupt the whole ecosystem or anything 
. So, bring it on, Compal and Pegatron! 
It's kinda like they're taking advantage of our desire for jobs. Anyway, gotta think about this some more... 
. And what about all the energy we're using? It's crazy! 
We need to think about this long-term and figure out a way to make it more sustainable. Maybe we should be targeting those manufacturers too, like Compal, Pegatron... anyone can join the fight! 
What's going on here?
how can residents even voice their concerns when they dont know what's going on behind the scenes? its like a big web of secrets and lies 
. but at the same time, i'm kinda surprised that no one spoke up about the server factory 
... maybe it's because we're so caught up in our own fight against data centers that we forgot to think about the bigger picture 
? 
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