I love Utah politics

[Copelius]

Man, the politics in Utah surrounding this data center in Box Elder county have been bonkers. We have a friendly neighborhood email group that is usually dedicated to people getting rid of old stuff or sharing the time of an elementary school production of some sort. But a woman in our neighborhood went on a rant about the data center and encouraged everybody to write letters to oppose it, and she listed all kinds of claims about the water and other facts associated that she pulled out of thin air. Then another guy calmly rebutted each of the issues she raised. And then another woman angrily jumped in. But that is nothing compared to the social media chaos that is going on. Just the claims made about the water alone are absurd. Everyone is suddenly an expert now but they are just making things up and repeating any nonsense that confirms their biases.

I am not sure which side to believe, but I do know that I have no sympathy for the folks interviewed on one of the news sites that said they moved out there to have a rural experience. What?!? Your rural experience preference takes away the property rights of anyone around you? The only way to guarantee land next to you is used in a manner you approve of is to purchase that land.

[USUC]

I am not sure which side to believe, but I do know that I have no sympathy for the folks interviewed on one of the news sites that said they moved out there to have a rural experience. What?!? Your rural experience preference takes away the property rights of anyone around you? The only way to guarantee land next to you is used in a manner you approve of is to purchase that land.

30 years ago, my hometown started to grow quickly. There was a new subdivision next to a family friend's farm. The people in this subdivision came out enmass to a city planning meeting to oppose a planned development of the farm. They opposed it because they wanted to keep the area rural because that is what they moved there for. The next day he spread especially bad smelling manure on his field next to the subdivision. Did it about once a month for 3 months. They didn't really have the power to stop it but I admired his pettiness.

[BigPiney]

30 years ago, my hometown started to grow quickly. There was a new subdivision next to a family friend's farm. The people in this subdivision came out enmass to a city planning meeting to oppose a planned development of the farm. They opposed it because they wanted to keep the area rural because that is what they moved there for. The next day he spread especially bad smelling manure on his field next to the subdivision. Did it about once a month for 3 months. They didn't really have the power to stop it but I admired his pettiness.

That is awesome.

I live in a county that is 98% public land. I hear coyotes and cows at night even though I am in a little subdivision. I love the rural aspect but would not begrudge anyone that could obtain some of that land and develop it.

Funny people that don't want someone do exactly what they did. And it is like they can't even see the hypocrisy.

[Shaka]

Man, the politics in Utah surrounding this data center in Box Elder county have been bonkers. We have a friendly neighborhood email group that is usually dedicated to people getting rid of old stuff or sharing the time of an elementary school production of some sort. But a woman in our neighborhood went on a rant about the data center and encouraged everybody to write letters to oppose it, and she listed all kinds of claims about the water and other facts associated that she pulled out of thin air. Then another guy calmly rebutted each of the issues she raised. And then another woman angrily jumped in. But that is nothing compared to the social media chaos that is going on. Just the claims made about the water alone are absurd. Everyone is suddenly an expert now but they are just making things up and repeating any nonsense that confirms their biases.

I have a few friends who went. They are fine salt-of-the-earth people who are mostly clueless about tech. One who works for Thiokol, making airbags, was the loudest in his FB comments. Most of what he stated was probably similar to your neighbor woman. As I watched the news coverage, I recognized several people whom I've seen protesting other things as far away as southern Utah. I've been perusing related social media, and the bots and outside agitators are doing their thing. I'm niether for or against the data center, but much of the info being delivered is propaganda.

[Goatnapper'96]

I have a few friends who went. They are fine salt-of-the-earth people who are mostly clueless about tech. One who works for Thiokol, making airbags, was the loudest in his FB comments. Most of what he stated was probably similar to your neighbor woman. As I watched the news coverage, I recognized several people whom I've seen protesting other things as far away as southern Utah. I've been perusing related social media, and the bots and outside agitators are doing their thing. I'm niether for or against the data center, but much of the info being delivered is propaganda.

I worry that all this will increase my drive time for my weekly trip to Eagle Mountain. Once I get on I-84 at Snowville I can usually just set that Cruise Control at 85 and roll until about the construction near Roy.

[chrisrenrut]

Don’t have strong feelings about this one way or the other. But I have an inherent distrust based on Kevin O’Leary’s Involvement, combined with the sneaky fast-track this project took.

But I have seen some explanation that seem to address the water and energy issues, if they can be taken at face value.

[frank ryan]

O'Leary isn't the best guy to sell this project. I also understand distrust with some of these companies like Palantir.

[Shaka]

I just watched an Insta video with a Box Elder farmhand talking about the Urban Heat Effect like he invented the term. He spoke in absolutes and guaranteed a significant rise in temperature for northern Utah.

It's getting weird out there.

[Jeff Lebowski]

I just watched an Insta video with a Box Elder farmhand talking about the Urban Heat Effect like he invented the term. He spoke in absolutes and guaranteed a significant rise in temperature for northern Utah.

It's getting weird out there.

Haha. Yes. So many new experts, all completely confident.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Haha. Yes. So many new experts, all completely confident.

Any experts get called to fix the cable?