A Closer Look … @ DATA CENTERS!

with Anthony Newcombe

Let’s take a closer look … @ DATA CENTERS!!

This month’s topic: DATA CENTERS VS. AGING ELECTRICAL & WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

I often struggle bringing clarity to subjects that are simply desired vs. ones that are required.  Q1: Do we NEED these data centers MORE THAN replacing and updating our infrastructure first? Obviously, the answer would need to lie in a different bucket than the one that measures strictly via profits.

As far as aging infrastructure goes, we may not see the problem outwardly, but all of us drive on the same roads, drink and bathe with the same water, and use the same utility grids – most often dated wooden poles draped with flapping rubber cords pieced together many moons ago.

Yes? No? Maybe?  Let’s just agree on one thing: most of us would never even think of jumping aboard a commercial airplane carrying the same antiquated characteristics. We’ve grown accustomed to flying in the latest models available and we’re just fine with that.

With respect to data centers, it almost seems like the topic of mass build outs that expend great amounts of resources (and tend to be far from quiet) seems to fall more under the “desired” category.  Though I understand the interest in placing these “monstrosities” all over America, I can’t help but think much of this is being forced upon us as a country.

The parties involved: the government (fed, state and local), private companies trying to gain contracts and wrest control of this young and burgeoning industry, and the public at large who is either supportive, angry, and/ or indifferent to the matter entirely.

PICK A SIDE, PAL!!

Regardless of which side of the argument our reader is on, be it on the side of using our land (some of it “acquired” via eminent domain) and resources for this mass endeavor, or on the side which believes in “NIMBY (Not In My Backyard)” or we absolutely need to build as many of these facilities as possible – one thing is clear: it would be nice if we had figured out how to update (and upgrade) the current outdated electrical grids – as well as antiquated sewer lines that run throughout our cities (big and small). Q2: Don’t you ask yourself, why do they allow this to happen?

AGING INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES GREAT POTENTIAL FOR WIDE SCALE CYBER-ATTACKS

It’s difficult to wrap our heads around the belief that we feel the need to “win the technology race” an/or guard against other global adversaries like China, Iran, Russia, etc. yet we seem uncomfortably comfortable with allowing our antiquated infrastructure to remain in place – often built a century ago – and is repaired only when there’s a cyber breach, mass blackout, or blown out water mains.  In effect, little proactive measures are taken.

Q3: What do YOU think?

Hope your summer ’26 is going as well as possible.

See you in the next season!

-A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author & narrator, and full stack web developer.  He can be reached for appearances via our CONTACT PAGE.