The cloud vs. clouded leopard: America's data center backlash on display at Nashville Zoo - ZDNET

Our gifting experts are obsessively searching for holiday gifts that are unique, thoughtful and suitable for any budget. As fights against data centers spring up around the country, the latest showdown in Nashville has a furry face. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. In Nashville, Tennessee, folks are worried about the clouded leopards. The cats are a rare and vulnerable species found in countries like Nepal and Bangladesh. Although conservationists are trying to breed them in captivity to ensure their survival, it’s been tricky — the leopards are sensitive to sound. News broke in June that a proposed 69,220-square-foot data center could live on the land just behind the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, which has a breeding program for the animals. Now, Nashvillians are joining communities across the country in fighting incoming data centers. More than 385,000 people have signed a Change.org petition, and the conflict has made national headlines. Even country star and Nashville staple Brad Paisley posted a video, calling the project a “monstrosity” and an “absolute nightmare scenario.” Also: How would AI data centers in space even work? A former NASA robotics chief exp