For the last couple of years or so, data centers have been a hot topic, and are receiving a resurgence in coverage due to developments in artificial intelligence. However, we must ask ourselves, what are these advancements and will they help the working people?

This is the question that must always be asked when a new advancement occurs. When the assembly line was formed and we could produce more cars in the same amount of time or later when jobs were digitized and making money was easier for capital holders, did our workers feel relief or were they simply more overworked in order to produce even more profit for someone other than themselves?

Advances in artificial intelligence have the capacity to give us back time - to free us from having to gruel away day in and day out just to barely make it by. But like many other advancements in our production lines, only the opposite has been seen.

Right now, data centers are not being used to improve the condition of workers or the environment. As a matter of fact, the wealthy class want to utilize artificial intelligence to replace us and hoard even more wealth - despite inequality being at an all-time high - and they do not care for the costs this greed will incur.

We are already seeing data centers consume unworldly amounts of energy with companies such as Eversource and National Grid passing off these costs to regular consumers with even more price-gouging. These behemoths, with floor plans larger than Lowell, are drying the taps of nearby homes and causing rapid environmental destruction. They are so power hungry, cities and states are finally deciding to give nuclear energy another chance, but not to alleviate the stress of energy bills and facilitate our transition towards a more environmentally just world, but for data centers to create more unsettling A.I. avatars and fulfill department of defense contracts.

This is extremely relevant to Lowell, wherein the Markley group looks to sink its teeth even more. A controversial part of the Lowell community since 2015, the Markley group is requesting more space for more diesel generators to hold 160,000 gallons of fuel for back-up operations. If we capitulate to these demands, where will it stop? The working class of this city and everywhere know if you give greedy corporations an inch, they will take a mile - minimum. We must be stewards of our environment and ensure corporations such as Markley are held to the highest standards of regulations. We mustn't allow them to expand diesel generators, but force them to scale back and reverse such efforts. With an estimated multi-year $77 million dollar tax break, how is it that Markley is not implementing a more environmentally friendly backup power source? We must hold them accountable and demand a clear outline of water use. We must protect our residents from the negative impacts of such industrial work being done so proximal to our communities, such as energy bill price gouging and making sure pollution mitigation efforts are truly effective.

Our tax exemptions and money is better spent elsewhere. As city councilor, I will advocate for responsible investment in our city by considering many factors such as the long term health of our community members and environment.

Elections should be decided by ideas and not by who can order more mailers or flood homes with more palm cards. But, that is not the case right now as I am up against two candidates each ready to spend over $10,000 to win this race. That is why small donations from like-minded community members and non-monetary support like spreading my campaign message and volunteering are critically important. 

This preliminary election is entirely winnable if we pull together as a community, and vote for a city councilor who will break with the status quo and lead with a bold plan. If you are able, please donate so that we may print more literature and possibly even order my very own mailer! Also, we have some lawn signs - if you’re interested in putting one out in your yard, please let me know!

For this week’s quote, we look to Kluck-et-sah, or Billy Frank Jr. of the Nisqually tribe from now western Washington state, for his wise words and deep understanding of the need to respect nature. The Earth and its bounties are not to be commodified and overconsumed to death, but rather respected and nurtured.

“I don’t believe in magic. I believe in the sun and the stars, the water, the tides, the floods, the owls, the hawks flying, the river running, the wind talking. They’re measurements. They tell us how healthy things are. How healthy we are. Because we and they are the same. That’s what I believe in. Those who learn to listen to the world that sustains them can hear the message brought forth by the salmon.”

Neighbor, Son-of-immigrants, and Believer-in-a-better-world,

Marcos Antonio Candido Jr.