Pacifica | A Tale of Data Centers, Clean Water, and the Purpose of Government
A Tale of Data Centers, Clean Water, and the Purpose of Government
How should government measure success? In Pacifica, a fictional dispute over data centers and clean water explores the difference between completing tasks and achieving a mission.
Joel K. Douglas connects military planning and measures of effectiveness with USDA rural housing affordability, public spending, and government accountability. The question is whether programs produce measurable public outcomes—not simply more activity, paperwork, or spending.
Read the essay and sources: https://joelkdouglas.com/2026/10/29/pacifica/…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.