Fuck AI

Would love to, but no. Instead of direct adoption, the council said they'd conduct "studies" on the claimed demerits and come back to it afterwards.

While there is a chance the "studies" will agree with the protestors' claims, it's more likely a small bribe will get the go ahead anyway or they merely retreated to sign the contract behind closed doors.

With all the trumpeteering going around, i wouldn't be too hopeful about the end result.

Oh, I believe it did.

Company representatives reportedly assessed the scene and left, citing safety concerns — though that detail hasn't appeared in formal news coverage or official minutes.

Moreover, there's this:

What did make the official record: a unanimous council vote to direct staff to begin developing a moratorium on data center development, confirmed by Salem Reporter and KATU News.

Pressing a pause button and painting an uncertain future for data center corporations, while the world becomes progressively more aware of the harms of their use, does not bode well for the industry. At least, not in Oregon. Well, maybe numerous other states too. Other municipalities and local governments might be watching. Word gets around, you know.

Consider the following and imagine the apparatus wasn't even lingering outside Loucks Auditorium:

Do take a look at the image accompanying this article. Would you as a data center company representative wish to face this crowd in your bid to publicly promote their use?

No they got away