On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the Villages Men’s Fun Social Club speaker was our own Phil Bookman, who gave us his perspective on “How to Think About Data Centers.” His career as a software entrepreneur spans the digital computer era, from the early mainframe data centers to today’s powerful racks of specialized microprocessors driving artificial intelligence.
Phil’s presentation explored how data centers have evolved from behind-the-scenes computer facilities into critical infrastructure supporting the digital services we use every day. He discussed why demand is growing so rapidly, how artificial intelligence is changing the scale of computing, and the important questions surrounding energy, water, technology, and community impact.
Rather than focusing on whether data centers are simply “good” or “bad,” Phil examined the choices involved in building the infrastructure needed for the next generation of computing. His goal is to help us better understand the opportunities, challenges, and tradeoffs shaping this important part of our future.
Phil grew up in Seaford, New York, where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Lois. He has degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Adelphi University, and Santa Clara University. In addition to his high tech career, Phil is the author of over twenty mystery novels featuring Silicon Valley heroes, all of which are available at the Villages Library. Before moving to The Villages in 2023, Lois and Phil resided in Campbell for 18 years and Los Gatos for 31 years.