26 April 2021 - building chips

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One Reason to Have Allies

If the news article says that Company X “builds” chips, it usually means that Company X designs chips which are then manufactured in Taiwan or South Korea. Even newsese needs translation. Taiwan is under invasion threat from China, and South Korea is under nuclear threat from North Korea. When the end of the world arrives, electronics will be the first to go.

clue:

Cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing is extremely concentrated. Calculate the economic cost to your country if fabs in Taiwan or South Korea go down. It is high for all advanced economies, possibly high enough to justify joining the fight.

take oh take this clue away

the Daily Whale || copyright 2021, 2024 Jay J.P. Scott <jay@satirist.org>