A year ago, data centers were “the next big thing.” Experts predicted that artificial intelligence would surpass human intelligence by 2029 — maybe even sooner if Democratic Socialists of America members kept lowering the bar.
There used to be respectable things to fear and address at the ballot box: crime, inflation, open borders, the other party’s nominees or the possibility that your teenager would major in interpretive dance. Those were the good ol’ days.
In 2026, the electorate has discovered a fresher terror, one that unites the farm-to-table Democrats and the conspiracy theorist Republicans like nothing since shared hatred of airport Wi-Fi. The last time both parties agreed on something, they voted on wars in Iran and Afghanistan.
To fear? The evil data center.
Three in 4 Americans now say they would oppose one in their community.