THE UGLINESS BEHIND
DATA CENTERS
Danny Helton
In recent years there has been the sudden introduction of
Artificial Intelligence. In addition to that sudden rise is the questions
surrounding ethics, long-term effects on cognition and environmental impacts.
Most troubling is the rise of data centers. These massive structures can be
considered a blight upon the land, especially so in rural areas where they
don’t blend in so easily.
The
preservation of nature is considered to be one of the most important priorities
for ensuring a healthy environment. And much of this preservation is by
designing architecture to blend into the surrounding environment in a way that
feels organic. I was in Europe recently, and the criticism of American cities
being giant concrete shoeboxes surrounded by hostile-looking parking lots
seemed to ring very true. We have done so much already to encroach upon our
beautiful nature, and it’s getting harder and harder to turn that around.
In
recent years the protections of the American wilderness have been slowly
stripped away. Recently the Trump administration has voted to give away
millions of square acres of land, something that will surely lead to an
increasing urbanization of the American wilderness[i]. Can a person honestly say that they want Oregon’s
wilderness to be dotted by numerous ugly structures dotting the land? In
additon to that data centers use massive amounts of freshwater, will only
further erode the landscape.
It is of
the utmost importance to maintain the beauty of our nature in light of these
threats to our wilderness and national parks. Too many wildfires have burned
massive swaths of the United States and Canada in the last decade, and put not
just our health in danger but our livelihoods, and the very existence of
wildlife as well.
Investing
in aesthetic architecture has proven to be beneficial to the mind. Green spaces
have proven to be beneficial to lowering stress, lowering cortisol, and
promoting bodily health.[ii]
And finally, preserving the wonderful view of nature is one of the best gifts
we can give to future generations. The priority of data centers should center
around sustainability, and aesthetics is a small but integral part of this.
I ask
you, dear reader, to take a stand for preserving Oregon’s natural beauty.
Please visit and donate, if possible, to the Nature Conservancy, which will
help to protect Oregon’s natural beauty in light of all the environmental
degradation taking place today.
[i] Laws,
Jasmine “Map shows where 250 million acres of Public Land is Being Sold Off”
Newsweek, June 18, 2025 250 million acres of public land to be sold off -
Newsweek
[ii]
Ikiz, Burcin “How Nature Restores Our Minds” Psychology Today, November 18,
2025 How Nature Restores Our Minds | Psychology Today
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