A Closer Look … @ DATA CENTERS!

with Anthony Newcombe

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as possible – one thing is clear: it would be nice if we had figured out how to update (and upgrade) the current outdated electrical grids – as well as antiquated sewer lines that run throughout our cities (big and small).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.

And the winner (again) is … Benjamin Franklin!💰

THE PGA TOUR COMBINES WITH THOSE CONTROLLING THE LIV TOUR

A Closer Look …

💰💰💰

with Anthony Newcombe

Well, it happened again. There’s a saying in sales that “the only loyalty in this business is to Benjamin Franklin (i.e., the $100 bill). Indeed, Benjamin Franklin DID win yet another battle. But it wasn’t in the sales world. Or was it?

If you’re keeping score at home, I’m talking about what’s going on in the professional sports world at the moment. If you really want to know, I’m precisely referencing the “kowtow bow” the PGA Tour and its leadership extended to those on the other side. Just a few majors ago, I recall seeing interviews containing the words “integrity, honor, principles, and loyalty (yes, the other “L” word).

Today, it’s “We need to make this work,” “We apologize to our constituents,” blah, blah, blah. Since when did running an elite global sports organization entail working across the aisle talk? So, EVERYTHING sounds like D.C. politicians now? Here’s a word for you: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

The fact of the matter is that Goliath (as usual) kicked the piss out of David (ditto). Unfortunately, we all are accustomed to “Goliath” being what was revealed as “David.” What I’m saying is it’s usually the tour that sets the tone and leans its weight and might on the weaker opponent. Here’s an idea guys: why not just be straight with everyone and TELL them that you were being strong armed all along.

Especially the players who stood by you and sacrificed friendships, reputations, and oh, MONEY to fall on the sword for YOU. If cash was so tight, why didn’t you say it originally? Perhaps we in your “fandom” might have felt some empathy for you and either circled a global hat, opened a GoFundMe account or something of the like. So, the payout was MUCH BETTER on the other (quieter) side? I see. Okay, good luck with that one!

💰💰💰💰

So let me digress. You may think “who am I to tell anyone to be brave.” I’m not even going to try that one. However, what I WILL say is: think about everything you did when you “put this deal together.” Think about all the people for whom you were making decisions. That way, the next time you host or attend a youth charity event demonstrating the importance of the teachings of golf, I hope you can stop yourself in your tracks from lecturing others about those four words I opened with: integrity, honor, principles, and loyalty. Because if you use these words, you will only be demonstrating one real word: hypocrisy.

There’s a bigger name on the other line. Gotta go. Have a great summer, hope the Opens go well and “we’ll see you at the bank!”

A.N.

PROFILE

Anthony Newcombe is a 4-time entrepreneur, published author and narrator, and a full-stack web developer. He hits the golf ball a long way but often struggles to find it. He enjoys landscaping and tinkering in his backyard on weekends. Anthony’s social media handles are: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

NFL Draft 2021

A Closer Look

with Anthony Newcombe

Here we go again … (you junkies!)

http://nfl.com

Well, after nearly 4 months of yawns, lawns (preferred), and less-than-riveting entertainment award shows … WE ARE HERE! The endless speculation as to who the Jacksonville Jaguars might take at #1 (Hint: rhymes with “Brever Torrance”), who the New York Jets will replace Sam Darnold with, and all the rest will pretty much begin to be answered starting this evening from Cleveland, Ohio.

Let’s celebrate! Why? Because we now don’t have to watch all of that other crap they’ve been shoving through our remote during this Covid thing. We can finally see something LIVE! Pinch me!! With people around! Really?! You know what they say: “Beggars can’t be choosers.” We’ll take it. And, sorry for such a brief post, but I need to pick up my keg, wings, and the blocks of ice we’ll be sliding on in the backyard after my team picks … somebody who can ball!

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.

A Closer Look …

with Anthony Newcombe

Area: business, politics (and the strange ways they seem to intersect these days)

Topic: Business “Monopoly sweepstakes” during this pandemic

Issue: Are “favored” companies taking unfair advantage of “unfavored” ones – as well as the rest of us – during this pandemic?