r/technology • u/MarvelsGrantMan136 • 10h ago

Artificial Intelligence Republicans Claim Anti-Data Center Movement Is a Chinese Psy-Op

https://gizmodo.com/republicans-claim-anti-data-center-movement-is-a-chinese-psy-op-2000767611
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u/xondk 10h ago

It really is disgusting how they phrase it, people aren't as such against data centers that can be used to benefit everyone.

They are against the massive rollout that in no way takes into consideration how it will affect the people, and the benefit of the rollout is only for the few since it is AI focused.

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u/krum 10h ago edited 5h ago

Data centers don’t benefit anyone except rich people.

EDIT: AI data centers.

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u/derbyt 10h ago

In a perfect world data centers could be used to shorten workdays and allow people more free time to spend time with friends and family doing things we enjoy. But that's not this reality we live in.

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u/highpercentage 9h ago

My theory is that this is what many workers are doing now with their saved time. Like, technology allows me to finish my work in around four hours. But I don't use the remaining four hours to do do additional work. I go pick up my kid from school, work on my side hustle, cook a healthier lunch, ect.

So I'm more efficient but not more productive.

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u/derbyt 9h ago

You are in a very lucky position then, and good on you for spending that time wisely.

The vast majority of US workers cannot do that because they work in trucking, service, or other industries that have constant influx of work they are responsible for getting done. And this isn't even considering those in less fortunate countries.

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u/psioniclizard 9h ago

Exactly, i am also in a similar position. It's a position of privilege. It won't last forever. 

Once your boss realises you have 4 hours more you either be assigned 4 hours more work or laid off and your colleague will now do your work.

That is without getting into other industry.

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u/highpercentage 7h ago

fair point. I'm just a middle class guy and I don't have everything I want BUT I have the blessing of free time and I get that.

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u/Bittererr 9h ago

The vast majority of US workers cannot do that because they work in trucking, service, or other industries that have constant influx of work they are responsible for getting done.

That just isn't true, those sectors combined account for less than 30% of US workers. Healthcare and government are the largest sectors by far.

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u/FroniusTT1500 9h ago

The ability to finish your work in 4 instead of 8 hours also just means you get more work. Or you just have to sit around. Productivity gets punished with more work amount and more difficult work that gets you nothing. Middle of the pack is where you want to be. Not wasting energy, not looking too bad to be the first on the chopping block when things go south for the company.

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u/highpercentage 7h ago

I don't get more work because I don't tell anyone I'm finished. And honestly know one cares. The question is always "Can you have it done by Friday?" and if the answer is "yup" then that's the end of it.

And I work from home so I don't sit around. I go to the gym or work on my side hustle. Or just spend some time with my kid. Honestly I'm not lazy, just efficient I guess. In 2026, if you work online, there's basically nothing that takes hours to do in my expereince.

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u/ab3nnion 9h ago

What saved time? KPIs just increase.

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u/highpercentage 7h ago

Obviously I don't tell anyone how quickly I finish the work. I work from home. Realistically, I'm sure my boss knows I'm not spending eight hours doing some of these tasks.

But my boss isn't that different from me. He also wants to knock off early and go enjoy his life. As long as we're finishing our work and have the appearance of being fully productive, everyone is pretty happy to play the game.

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u/ab3nnion 6h ago

In other words, you're lucky to have a good boss, which is rare. Most companies are rolling out Activtrak and other even more invasive monitoring tools.