City of Springfield Data Center Engagement Session #1
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Missouri Legislation Ideas
This is a collection of possible “new and revised” legislation that I’d like for our Missouri state representatives and senators to consider (Data Center issues are near the end).
Read more »Why you wouldn’t vote for me (Part 1 of “campaigning”)
Fifty-some years ago, I expected that I would run for a political office “one day.” But for most of the past 50 years, I’ve believed I would probably be un-electable for most offices. Here is why.
Read more »Greene County, Missouri, is Bankrupt due to illegal detentions
Greene County MO is BANKRUPT, or will be when thousands of illegally-detained people file claims and lawsuits. Some of them are US citizens.
Read more »Downtown Springfield Listening Session
The Downtown Springfield Association (DTA) held a “listening session” Saturday morning, at the Downtown Church. DSA Executive Director Crystal Quade and a team from PeopleCentric (Philip & Don) spoke with about 20 people. These are my random notes.
Read more »Data Centers – analysis by Mark J. Welch (Aug 2026)
Enron. That’s the most important keyword when evaluating AI data centers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enron_scandal
How many of the mega-datacenters are owned, operated, controlled and contracted entirely through Enron-style style LLC & REIT shell companies, which could default on all environmental, power, water & community commitments?
- New: data center legislation: @techpolicy.press
- “Why Big Tech’s AI Spending Is $3 Trillion Higher Than It Seems: Massive spending commitments for data-center leases and chips aren’t shown on companies’ balance sheets” @Wall Street Journal (Aug. 16, 2026)
Goodreads giveaways won, summer 2026
Comments Off on Goodreads giveaways won, summer 2026 The Privateers: How Billionaires Sold School Vouchers” (2024) by Josh Cowen
Comments Off on The Privateers: How Billionaires Sold School Vouchers” (2024) by Josh Cowen An apology and correction about Republic 2.0
Comments Off on An apology and correction about Republic 2.0 25 years ago, I chanced upon a book called Republic 2.0, by Cass Sunstein, and I wrote a fairly detailed critique of the concept that people would actually isolate themselves online and exacerbate tensions and conflict by participating in enclaves and not interacting with those who disagreed:
https://www.markwelchblog.com/2002/01/21/54
I was right, and I was wrong. What I missed: oligarchs and media operators would deliberately create propaganda silos to exploit people. Sunstein’s focus was on people making their own autonomous choices, but I didn’t recognize that aggressive evil people would deliberately seek the worse possible outcomes.
I also did not expect potentially “neutral” portals (Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc.) would themselves amplify and worsen the tendencies, for their own profit.
