Are We Asking the Wrong Questions About Data Centers?
 With Jennifer Pelton

Data centers have become one of the most controversial pieces of modern infrastructure. Most discussions focus on artificial intelligence, electricity demand, water consumption, and carbon emissions. But are those the right questions?

In this episode, attorney and civil liberties advocate Jennifer Pelton shares a different perspective. She argues that surveillance—not AI—is a major force behind the rapid expansion of data centers and discusses why she believes important issues are being overlooked.

We explore:

what data centers are and how they've evolved the different types of data centers and why those distinctions matter surveillance, privacy, and constitutional rights the idea of "controlled opposition" environmental and community impacts, including mining, noise, infrasound, and electrical infrastructure common assumptions about AI, renewable energy, and cloud storage what citizens can do if a data center is proposed in their community Throughout the conversation, one question keeps returning:

How do we know that?

Whether you agree, disagree, or remain undecided, this episode is an invitation to examine evidence, question assumptions, and think more deeply about one of the fastest-growing technologies shaping modern society.

SHOW NOTES

Jennifer L. Pelton, Esq.

NY & CT Attorney

Substack: https://substack.com/@jennesq

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-l-pelton-esq/

Linktree": https://linktr.ee/jenniferpelton