Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Data centers are quickly becoming the most polarizing buildings in America. On this episode of “Galaxy Brain,” Charlie Warzel speaks with the reporter Jael Holzman about the backlash to the buildings powering the AI boom. Why have data centers become controversial? What are the environmental, economic, and political impacts? How does the backlash track along left/right party lines? This episode demystifies the data-center fight.
This episode of “Galaxy Brain” was produced by Renee Klahr and engineered by Miguel Carrascal. Our theme is by Rob Smierciak. Claudine Ebeid is the executive producer of Atlantic audio, and Andrea Valdez is our managing editor.
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Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at accounts.theatlantic.com/products/?utm_medium=cr&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=apple_podcasts
00:00 Intro
03:44 Interview with Jael Holzman
06:12 Local AI Data-Center Fights
09:41 Anti-AI Data-Center Coalition
13:31 Water, Noise, and Pollution
16:40 Tax Revenue and Tradeoffs
20:59 Left and Right Against AI Data-Centers
23:29 AI Data-Center Moratorium Movement
28:51 Who is Shaping the Narrative?
31:16 Is Media Coverage to Blame?
33:43 Angst Over Winners and Losers
35:07 Political Implications
37:30 Closing Thoughts and Credits
Data centers are quickly becoming the most polarizing buildings in America. On this episode of “Galaxy Brain,” Charlie Warzel speaks with the reporter Jael Holzman about the backlash to the buildings powering the AI boom. Why have data centers become controversial? What are the environmental, economic, and political impacts? How does the backlash track along left/right party lines? This episode demystifies the data-center fight.
This episode of “Galaxy Brain” was produced by Renee Klahr and engineered by Miguel Carrascal. Our theme is by Rob Smierciak. Claudine Ebeid is the executive producer of Atlantic audio, and Andrea Valdez is our managing editor.
Subscribe to the “Galaxy Brain” newsletter: theatlantic.com/newsletters/sign-up/galaxy-brain/?utm_source=podcast-warzel
Subscribe to the “Galaxy Brain” podcast on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/galaxy-brain/id1378618386
Subscribe to the “Galaxy Brain” podcast on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/542WHgdiDTJhEjn1Py4J7n
Follow The Atlantic on Instagram: instagram.com/theatlantic/?hl=en
Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at accounts.theatlantic.com/products/?utm_medium=cr&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=apple_podcasts
00:00 Intro
03:44 Interview with Jael Holzman
06:12 Local AI Data-Center Fights
09:41 Anti-AI Data-Center Coalition
13:31 Water, Noise, and Pollution
16:40 Tax Revenue and Tradeoffs
20:59 Left and Right Against AI Data-Centers
23:29 AI Data-Center Moratorium Movement
28:51 Who is Shaping the Narrative?
31:16 Is Media Coverage to Blame?
33:43 Angst Over Winners and Losers
35:07 Political Implications
37:30 Closing Thoughts and Credits
