Data centers are a hot topic of discussion as their expansion continues, especially in Virginia. I have lived in Spotsylvania for more than fifteen years, and prior to that I lived in Fredericksburg. Hence, I haven’t moved around much. In the past five years, we have seen a significant increase in population, which inevitably leads to technological and geographical expansion. Since I am a long-time local, I particularly dislike the lack of infrastructure to support so many new zoning projects and residents. Schools are being overcrowded, and their main source of teaching comes from electronics, not books. Hospitals and their workers barely can make it through all of the patients for the day, so they instead utilize AI technology to make their jobs quicker and easier. Businesses are being forced into using AI technology from the big Cupertino companies who are just chasing profits. These are the reasons that our wilderness is being sacrificed for human advancement. I could go on all night as to why data centers are unnecessary, but that would prove pointless. Not even seven years ago were computers not allowed in classrooms. I am the class of 2018, and I promise you that life could’ve advanced (probably even better) without advanced technology. In reality, it is making everyone dumber and just increasing efficiency. That is the overall goal for society, though, and this is something we are forced to endure. The particular data center they want to build in Spotsy is right behind my old job, Ashley Furniture/Trivett’s Furniture warehouse. I have seen so many species of wildlife from that area as well as significant sunrise/sunset views. It’ll be built on 73 acres, with its completed area reaching 1.9 million square feet, right by neighborhoods and local traffic! Everyone is using AI because it is being forced down our throat. Amazon searches, Google, Bing, doesn’t matter. The companies make it to where you’re practically forced to use it. Therefore, I don’t have any responsibility for this. Data centers are approved by officials more often than not, with no regard for community opinion. This project was approved 5-0, and I have seen multiple proofs of resistance from the community. Unfortunately, this is the new reality. While doing all of the things I listed become easier, at what cost?