While Musk has us in a chaotic frenzy over trans mice, he, with the government’s turn-a-blind-eye approval, has been up to something behind our backs that is literally harming the health and well-being of Black people without a concern in the world.
In 2023, Elon Musk founded his company xAI, a self-described artificial intelligence company that aims to accelerate scientific discoveries and learn more about the mysteries of the universe.
Sounds great.
There’s no limit to future technologies that could help humanity — we will solve so many problems with the help of AI that humans alone couldn’t.
Here’s the issue:
Musk is trying to “save humanity” on the backs of Black people. An American story that plays over and over, worse than a broken record.
xAI built the world’s largest supercomputer in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2024.
Powerful supercomputers, in case you didn’t know, use methane-burning generators in. order to operate.
When inhaled, the gas can deprive the body of oxygen. Concentrations above government-approved levels can lead to a range of health problems: Rapid breathing, increased heart rate, clumsiness and dizziness, decreased vision, especially in low light, euphoria, decreased alertness, memory loss, weakness, fatigue, emotional responses, nausea and vomiting, fainting and collapse, seizures, coma, and death.
The long-term effects of methane gas exposure include cardiovascular, respiratory, and brain-related issues, such as memory loss and depression.
Unlike other types of toxic pollution, methane is odorless and colorless, which makes it particularly dangerous.
Scientists have long studied the effects of methane gas.
There’s some level of exposure that isn’t dangerous, which is why the energy is used in many projects. But it’s also why the government limits how many generators can be used for a particular purpose, especially in proximity to residential neighborhoods.
Knowing all that, Musk applied for and received permits to use 15 generators.
While he didn’t consult with local communities or even alert city officials before proceeding, it seemed like an open-and-shut case anyway, given that 15 generators comply with federal law.
But knowing the government would leave him alone, Musk decided to install and use not 15, but 35, generators at the facility — more than double the permitted amount!
This is a gross and dangerous violation of the Clean Air Act. Not to mention that folks in lower-income communities can’t just pick up and leave.
For perspective, the Clean Air Act was signed into law by Republican Richard Nixon and amended by Republican George Bush. The law doesn’t even include pollution level limitations advocated by environmental groups.
Yet Musk still refused to comply.
The worst part is that Musk’s 35 generators are dangerously close to two South Memphis historically Black neighborhoods, Boxtown and Mallory Heights.
These neighborhoods already got the brunt of pollution from factories and smokestacks previously placed nearby.
Poor air quality there has, for years, caused the Black residents elevated asthma rates and resulted in significantly lower life expectancy.
I guarantee that the administration won’t put the hammer down on xAI so long as Musk continues to sing the president’s praises. The 35 generators will continue operating and polluting without government involvement or oversight.
Y’all wanted lower egg prices and an end to government waste.
Instead, you got an unelected law-breaking gangster who doesn’t care about anyone but himself.