I feel like one million dollars

News broke yesterday that they’re building the countries biggest ai data centre. 800 megawatts, 30 fucking billion dollars to build.

40kms out from the Murray river system, the river in which I live on, have grown up with, was taught to really respect and appreciate. They haven’t yet confirmed where the centres water cooling supply is going to come from - but it’s a bit suspiciously close, isn’t it.

A river which is “nationally protected”, listed as critically endangered, there’s overwhelming evidence of ecological collapse, and it’s something we depend on. We drink from it, all of our water comes from it, I live in agriculture country that depends on it enough already.

And they’re building a data centre, 40kms from it. 150km west of my town. Just over an hours drive from me.

In the driest, hottest state on one of the driest, hottest countries in the world.

First of all, 30 billion dollars. While South Australians have been suffering for years from the cost of living, fuel prices, increased homelessness, housing crisis. We can barely afford homes, or rent. I work 6 days a week and it’s barely enough.

This current government has already spent $45 million tearing down over 500 eucalyptus trees and destroying an entire habitat in north Adelaide for a golf course last month. No public consultation, same with this. Barely passed through parliament, no public say.

If they spend even an 8th of what they do destroying the environment towards saving it, fuck they could do so much. That $10b they’re about to spend being put towards our everyday livelihood? Fixing all this shit that’s gone so downhill the last few years?

I just feel so fucking helpless and powerless because what the fuck can I do? I can protest and sign petitions and spread awareness but… I feel like I have no say. Like it’s all inconsequential. I’m surrounded by generative ai, my family my friends my coworkers. I speak out against it and I’m laughed at.