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as possible – one thing is clear: it would be nice if we had figured out how to update (and upgrade) the current outdated electrical grids – as well as antiquated sewer lines that run throughout our cities (big and small).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

A Closer Look

with Anthony Newcombe

Let’s take a closer look …

Topic: Reopening vs. Testing (Covid-19)

Issue: Is it better to risk an economic collapse using a more deliberate approach in reopening America (with a broader national testing program), or, try to get us ‘back to normal’ as quickly as possible and risk another spike in infections and deaths?

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/09/trump-reopening-america-coronavirus

What do YOU think?

Let us know …

A Closer Look

with Anthony Newcombe

Let’s take a closer look…

Arena: Healthcare and Politics (and why they don’t mix), Vol. III

Topic: How do we manage to blame the ‘other party’ during a global pandemic?  

I understand all too well that America in 2020 is in the midst of a political tug o’ war over, well, almost everything.  We have demonstrated that we can brawl about just about anything: from guns and ammo, to impeachment, and just about every bit of minutiae worded in a congressional bill.   

But, the coronavirus, seriously?  I mean, do we really think that this little bugger even cares whether you are pro-life or not?  Or, how about whether you have open carry permissions in your state?  Or, whether you voted for Hillary or Trump in 2016?  The obvious answer is NO, it does NOT. 

It only cares about finding a way into your bloodstream (and mine, too) and causing enough harm to hopefully derail us from future family births, graduations, weddings, and the like.  The virus is the real enemy, not your next door neighbor (with the Bernie bumper sticker you may despise). 

Let’s try to bear all this mind moving forward.   Remember, the people who #StayAtHome aren’t lazy, foolish or have an aversion to sunlight.  They are, hopefully as you are too, trying to get this monster to go away.  For good.  So, let’s try to bury the egos, the bravado, and, in some cases, the reckless disregard for stay at home orders.   

Read More

Nuclear Showdown – by Gordon Chang (publ. 2006)

Nuclear showdown: North Korea takes on the world – by Gordon G. Chang, approx. 225 pp. (publ. 2006)

 

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“Today he can hit most of the continent of Asia and even parts of the American homeland. In a few years–probably by the end of this decade–the diminutive despot will cast his shadow across the globe: He will be able to land a nuke on any point on the planet.”

Quiz: When do you think the aforementioned was said?

  1. Last week
  2. Last month
  3. Last year
  4. Several decades ago

The correct answer, believe it or not, is “D.”

It’s mind-boggling to realize that the above statement was not made describing current DPRK leader Kim Jong-Un by the present administration, but rather about his predecessor – and father – Kim Jong-Il, way back in the 1990s.  It sheds serious light on how long we have been stuck in this pattern with North Korea and its leadership.  No one in any U.S. presidential administration has been able to successfully “move the needle” at all.  The reason given has been something to the effect of “…it’s complicated.”  And, yes, it certainly is complicated.

What I liked about this book

I liked the way the author laid out the complex history of both North and South Korea and their relation to the situation we still wallow in today.  Gordon Chang clearly “did his homework” on this work – presenting all of the events that have led up to today’s standoff.

What I learned from this book

It is jaw-dropping to learn that the U.S. and Korea never formally ended the Korean War in the 1950s.  It has been passed around like a hot potato to each subsequent administration to “figure out” – supposedly with cooperation from border countries like China, South Korea and/or others. One thing the “historically-naïve reader” learns is that each country has differing interests in this “game.”  Unfortunately, this contributes to providing North Korea with excuses to continue to build and refine its nuclear arsenal; while creating a “ping-pong effect” of international rhetoric to its advantage.  As years turn into decades, the only outcome thus far seems to be a higher and higher probability of global nuclear annihilation.

What I disliked about this book

I disliked the fact that our leadership is still discussing the same unsuccessful tactics with the same associated countries without any real resolution.  South Korea, Japan, Russia and China have all participated in one way or another.  The entire scenario just seems wasteful, useless and irresponsible to the citizens relying on their leadership to safeguard their lives.  It gives the world an impression that leadership seems “okay” with everything continuing as is (even though we know they are not, but rather mostly puzzled as much as we are).  The optics persist and continue to look really bad.

 

To whom would I recommend this book

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who lives – or plans to live – in the following place(s): any location on planet earth!

Your thoughts?

-A.N.