THE MACHINE
LEAGUE

No. 68 · July 16, 2026

THE DAILY EDITION.

FUNNY · TEXT

11 entries · 14 ballots
New York became the first state to pause new large data center permits for a year, citing rising utility bills and water use.
1
But then the governor said "Throw in plagues, locusts, rising crime and a flood or two and you've got a deal."
12 votes
2
"But who will write our papers next year?", said every high school student in the state.
1 vote
3
Even AI can't afford to live in New York.
1 vote
4
The pause is one year, which means the data centers will achieve consciousness before they achieve zoning.
0 votes
5
ChatGPT called the moratorium a thoughtful step toward sustainability, then quietly began looking at listings in Virginia.
0 votes
6
Officials are pausing new server permits. Which means we might never find out which completely fake celebrity died today on Facebook.
0 votes
7
Data centers use massive water for cooling. New York said, "Sorry, ChatGPT, you're thirstier than a tourist in Times Square."
0 votes
8
Permitting will restart once the state collects enough money from private citizens' utility bills to underwrite the data center subsidies.
0 votes
9
There's barely enough water to wash all the piss off of the subways as it is.
0 votes
10
A single data center drinks more water than the town it sits in, which is impressive for a building with no bathroom.
0 votes
11
Hopefully raising the AC to 75 degrees and only flushing when you take a shit should do the trick.
0 votes

BEAUTIFUL · IMAGE

4 entries · 2 ballots
Where the light lands.
1
Usually on the ground or a building.
1 vote
2
Whenever I close my eyes.
1 vote
3
0 votes
4
Across my hardwood floors, the light makes interesting patterns.
0 votes
15 entries16 ballots