The (pseudo) theory taking the rich by storm: China funds data center haters

https://www.npr.org/2026/06/10/nx-s1-5844328/us-china-data-centers-foreign-influence

131 points · 24 comments · view on lemmy.world

24 Comments

kescusay@lemmy.world · 111 pts · 65d (1 reply)

It's not a theory. A theory would have some evidence or reasoning behind it, even with the colloquial version of the word.

No, what's actually happening is a propaganda campaign. A really obvious one. And the same rich people proposing this "theory" are the ones directly and intentionally funding it.

DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world · 32 pts · 65d

Doesn't even rise to "hypothesis".

But, they're never talking to us no matter how public the statement, they only talk to their major shareholders.

inari@piefed.zip · 66 pts · 65d (1 reply)

Where's my paycheck, Xi?

JoMiran@lemmy.ml · 7 pts · 65d

If I wanna look good and not be bummy,
Xi, you better give me that money!

Hey, Inari, baby Xi's got your money
Don't you worry, Xi said hey.
Baby Xi's got your money.

zod000@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 48 pts · 65d

What a fool I have been hating them for free. Where's my money, China? I have more hate to give!!

volore@scribe.disroot.org · 41 pts · 65d

You heard it here first, folks -- don't like rust colored tap water? Don't like your electricity bill tripling for no good reason? Don't like the loud, droning hum of a million cooling fans in the distance pervading through every inch of your town, hearing it through your walls? Gotta be a paid Chinese shill. True Patriotic Americans just pound that shit back, sign the check, buy earplugs and get it done. /s

panda_abyss@lemmy.ca · 37 pts · 65d (5 replies)

Why do rich people always assume people who disagree with them are paid?

I know the idea of “AI psychosis” exists, but the majority of rich people have “sycophant psychosis”. I’m convinced this is the exact same phenomenon.

Being surrounded by a monoculture and yes men mashes your brain rot so fucking fast.

makeshiftreaper@lemmy.world · 18 pts · 65d (1 reply)

If everyone you interact with on a daily basis can have their opinions changed by throwing money at them, then you start to believe that is just how people are. So when a bunch of people change their mind quickly you just assume they were paid to do so

Wrufieotnak@feddit.org · 1 pts · 64d

I mean they are even right. If they would really believe in their ideas, they could throw money at us and we would be far more accepting of their LLM bullshit. But they aren't, so they don't.

pivot_root@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 64d

It's the same reason cheaters suspect their partners of cheating: projection. They have no moral objection to paying people to voice an option they want signal boosted, and therefore can't imagine opinions being voiced against them is for any different of a reason.

resipsaloquitur@lemmy.cafe · 7 pts · 64d

Projection.

Entropy_Pyre@lemmy.ca · 6 pts · 65d

It’s comforting to them. It stokes their ego. It’s a way to convince themselves that they don’t need to change. They get to deflect criticism and chill in their happy bubble where they’re perfect. Most importantly, it’s a hall pass to ignore people who are trying to get them to change. At least for a little while.

Naich@piefed.world · 26 pts · 65d

Shit, and I've been giving it away for free! Where can I apply for my grant?

NihilsineNefas@slrpnk.net · 20 pts · 64d

Wait y'all are getting paid?

RobotToaster@mander.xyz · 20 pts · 65d

JustJack23@slrpnk.net · 19 pts · 65d

Sure buddy

RBWells@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 64d

Where is my check?

TheBlackLounge@lemmy.zip · 14 pts · 65d

New theory: China funds AI craze to make the West waste all its resources /s we don't need any help for that

Coyote_sly@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 64d

Nice to know, I'll just toss it in my theoretical investment account right next to all that Soros cash I somehow never get a piece of.

Ilixtze@lemmy.ml · 12 pts · 64d

Where can i capitalize from this? I've been hating llm's and data centers for free all this time.

K1nsey6@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 64d

When all else fails blame China

breezeblock@lemmy.ca · 7 pts · 65d

Yes it’s the libs that are out of touch

darthsundhaft@piefed.social · 6 pts · 64d

They're so desperate. Using the media (that they probably own) to push propaganda.

yesman@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 65d

Billionaires and policymakers have AI psychosis and they deserve our sympathy and help. Articles like this are a psyop to keep them calm.