Can Data Centers Be Done Right?
2026-08-06 · 72 min · 6 entities
Asserted relationships
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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture
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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: New York Magazine
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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media
Entities found in this episode
companys 4
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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: New York Magazine
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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media
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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: New York Magazine
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evidence rules-v5
Feed author/publisher: Vox Media
concepts 2
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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture
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evidence rules-v5
Feed category: Society & Culture
Episode description as stored
As the AI boom fuels a massive data-center buildout, communities across the country are pushing back. Kara speaks with environmental activist and consumer advocate Erin Brockovich, Utah climate scientist Logan Mitchell, Virginia organizer Elena Schlossberg and Lansing, Mich., Mayor Andy Schor about the industry’s environmental and political impact.
They examine the secretive deals and tax incentives behind many data-center projects, and they debate whether even responsibly designed developments can win community support.
The panel also explores what meaningful guardrails might look like, whether cleaner energy and greater transparency could make data centers a genuine public benefit, and if it’s even possible to shift public opinion as data centers become increasingly wrapped up in a broader backlash against AI.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher.
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