The Warning Signs That You—Yes, You—Might Be a Data Center
You may oppose data centers. Unfortunately, you also share many of their defining characteristics.
A recent Gallup poll discovered that seven out of 10 Americans oppose the construction of AI data centers within their communities. The reason is understandable; these facilities consume massive amounts of electricity and water, occupy large land areas, and necessitate constant cooling. However, the comparison becomes uncomfortable when one realizes that the description of data centers mirrors the modern American lifestyle.
In essence, data centers embody the American expectation of abundance, compacted into concrete structures.
To begin a self-diagnosis, consider the following five warning signs that you might be the human equivalent of a data center:
The Pew Research Center reported in January 2026 that 90% of U.S. adults utilize the internet daily, with 41% stating they are online "almost constantly." This observation is strikingly similar to the data center scenario, where they never log off. The phrase "going online" has evolved from a quaint expression to a routine part of daily life, akin to visiting a haberdasher.
Energy Information Administration (EIA) data shows that U.S. electricity demand has been consistently rising since 2020, following a decade of stability. Data centers are identified as a significant contributor to this growth. According to Berkeley Lab's 2026 update, data centers could represent 11.8% of total U.S. electricity consumption by 2030, with estimates ranging from 9.5% to 15.3%.
In the average home, chargers, routers, screens, speakers, appliances, gaming consoles, heated and cooled seats, and even mysterious internet-connected devices all draw power, much like the myriad components found within a data center. The American power ethic is straightforward: the outlet is a fundamental necessity.
The Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program indicates that the average American uses approximately 82 gallons of water daily at home. Data centers also require substantial water for cooling. The connection between the two entities extends beyond water usage; both sectors assume an endless and constant supply of water without question.
Much like data centers, which are often maligned due to their substantial resource consumption, the average American has come to expect high-speed internet, year-round climate control, instant access to information, and rapid delivery services without ever considering the underlying infrastructure. Data centers serve as a stark reminder of the physical resources that support the seemingly effortless conveniences of modern life.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
