In another exchange the next month, an unidentified city official discussed a “need to keep the flock herded,” in reference to data center opponents. Yet another suggests residents would forget about the data center controversy as soon as they find out the city is getting a new Olive Garden restaurant.

I don’t doubt the average resident is indeed that stupid enough to become distracted, but these data centres will present real harms for very little to no public benefit which unsurprisingly keeps them focused.