Backlash as Utah Approves Data Center Twice the Size of Manhattan

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‘Irresponsible:’ Backlash as Utah Approves Data Center Twice the Size of Manhattan (Maria)

The author writes, “A plan to create one of the world’s largest datacenters, a gargantuan project spanning an area more than twice the size of Manhattan, has provoked a furious public backlash in Utah amid concerns over its projected energy use and impact on the state’s stressed water supplies. The Stratos artificial intelligence datacenter footprint will cover more than 62 square miles over three sites in northwestern Utah. The facility will require about 9GW of power — more than the entire state now consumes — and suck up a significant amount of water in an area recently hit by severe drought.”

Here’s What I Told the DNC Autopsy (DonkeyHotey and Dana)

The author writes, “You may have heard about the Democratic National Committee ‘autopsy’ — the post-election report commissioned by the DNC in 2025 to examine what went wrong in the 2024 campaign. And you may have heard that it was never released to the public. Because of that, there’s been a lot of rightful concern among Democrats about there not being an honest accounting of what went wrong and what we could learn from it. But there are a few people who have insight into what the autopsy report actually says and can share what they know of it. I’m one of them.”

A Dying Son, His Detained Parents and a Race to Reunite Before the End (Laura)

From The New York Times: “From his hospital bed in Chicago, Kevin Gonzalez had a final wish to see his parents. But they were in immigration detention in Arizona after illegally crossing to see their son.” 

People Who Don’t Like People Are Making All of Our Decisions (Sean)

From The Atlantic: “In the beginning, God created Man and Man created cities. And from these cities sprang forth a service to cart Man around: the taxi. And it was good. So good that, over centuries, it barely changed. … Then, in 2009, Man made the ride-share app. And it was very good. Many of the nuisances of taxis that had seemed unavoidable were eliminated overnight. … But in all of the ways I’ve imagined improving upon the modern taxi, eliminating drivers themselves has never crossed my mind. And yet, the powerful minds of Silicon Valley and the investors who fund them are trying to do just that.” 

Everyone at the Musk v. Altman Trial Is Using Fancy Butt Cushions (Reader Jim)

The author writes, “The final stragglers testified on Wednesday in the Musk v. Altman trial. The witnesses generated few waves, aside from the revelation that Microsoft has so far spent over $100 billion on its partnership with OpenAI. Rather than focus on that, I wanted to bring you a candid observation that my colleague Maxwell Zeff and I can’t stop talking about after spending nearly three weeks watching the trial. The courtroom is littered with butt cushions.”

Chonkers the Sea Lion Draws Crowds to San Francisco’s Pier 39 (Reader Steve)

The authors write, “An intrepid sea lion nicknamed Chonkers is waddling his way into the hearts of tourists and locals who have flocked to San Francisco’s Pier 39 for a glimpse of the massive pinniped.”