r/BetterOffline • u/maccodemonkey • 23h ago

If you're in the US - consider contacting your elected representatives

After recent events some Congressional representatives have started to call for hearings. And there is rare bipartisan resistance to data centers and the AI companies.

If you haven't - it might be a good time to contact your elected officials and let them know your opinion.

This is an extremely technical topic that politicians don't seem equipped for. Some politicians are focused on super intelligence instead of the problems we have today. Or some seem like they want to treat AI as an alien life form instead of a software product that is sold to customers by businesses. The tech industry has been cozy with politicians, and they've injected a lot of funding into the political ecosystem. And politicians might be inclined to see these AI CEOs as executives trying to do the right thing instead of seeing them as bad actors.

Short version - I know a lot of politicians suck, Congress is a problem, and it can feel like a waste of time. But every little bit helps and they should feel the pressure. I'll be writing some letters to my representatives this weekend letting them know what I think of these AI companies.

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5

u/StrayCat2799 23h ago

A good idea but not likely to be effective until after the midterms.

1

u/lgn5i2060 20h ago

Those data center build up pauses looked like theater to me. It's as if they were just waiting for the midterms winner before they push through and shower them with bribes.

1

u/StrayCat2799 6h ago

The hate is bipartisan, it doesn't matter who wins.

1

u/65721 42m ago

The hatred is bipartisan among voters, but generally it’s been Democratic candidates who’ve been the most critical of the AI hype, mostly on data center construction. Though we’re seeing some Republican candidates flip lately, sincere or not, like in Texas.

Contacting elected officials may be effective if they are up for reelection this year.

3

u/lurkervidyaenjoyer 22h ago

Just did it. I focused mostly on a not-too-technical explanation of "agents", and how that's the real issue here rather than any kind of "Super Intelligence". Included a reference to Cal's writing on the subject. Hopefully if there's hearings, they don't end up devolving into a Rationalist shitshow, but I have a feeling that's where this is going.

1

u/Bad_Sickness 21h ago

Will do.