461–470 of 720 posts
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Yes. One scary fact that I learned is that, in war games between China and the USA, China almost always wins due to superior production capacity. Those $100B American battle carriers and $40MM advanced fighter jets can be taken out by $50,000 rockets/missiles produced at a rate of hundreds or thousands per day.
Isn't the reverse also true?
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You can pull out home equity in a cash out refinance. Borrow at 2.5%, then roll that into index funds averaging 8%, and turbo-charge your retirement goals.
"put it all on black!"
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Is that still true now?
Yes. One scary fact that I learned is that, in war games between China and the USA, China almost always wins due to superior production capacity. Those $100B American battle carriers and $40MM advanced fighter jets can be taken out by $50,000 rockets/missiles produced at a rate of hundreds or thousands per day.
Many countries have a funny concept of strategic industries. In mine, dairy is a strategic industry that is coddled by government so that we can have a local source. But every country thinks that so there’s foes and allies that can supply us UHT or powder milk on a moment’s notice. And if our milk supply disappeared tomorrow, everyone over 1y could substitute with 10000000 different things for nutrition. Cars are ano…
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Spend 5K on a really nice commuter electric bicycle. You'll be doing a solid for the Environment and you'll have an EV that makes you fitter.
I live 50km from work now (thankfully looks like mostly remote forever, the COVID silver lining), but I used to bike to work before I had kids. I don't know that I'd do it again. The number of avoided-death-by-split-second close calls that I racked up in about five years is just too high... Now that I'm a bit older and have children, seems irresponsible. This is in a city with relatively developed bike infrastructure…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes. One scary fact that I learned is that, in war games between China and the USA, China almost always wins due to superior production capacity. Those $100B American battle carriers and $40MM advanced fighter jets can be taken out by $50,000 rockets/missiles produced at a rate of hundreds or thousands per day.
This is in line with my intuitions; do you have any sources so I can read more?
Many countries have a funny concept of strategic industries. In mine, dairy is a strategic industry that is coddled by government so that we can have a local source. But every country thinks that so there’s foes and allies that can supply us UHT or powder milk on a moment’s notice. And if our milk supply disappeared tomorrow, everyone over 1y could substitute with 10000000 different things for nutrition. Cars are ano…
On that matter, I think (just a not-so-well-informed opinion but still plausible) most countries should urgently protect their software development industry and dramatically reduce taxes on those companies. Because the day US/China automated-production AIs will get to its prime, nothing produced in your county will have any value whatsoever beside land. Ferrari and Rayban? Near-zero market value tomorrow.
I think this time is quite a bit far off. But eventually will have sourcing price of just the raw materials. That said and regarding your next point -
"Ferrari and Rayban? Near-zero market value tomorrow."
On this I disagree strongly. Current trend is that IP becomes constantly more important. So that while manufacturing costs for said items may tumble, IP laws likely protect the sale of items branded as such. And the price difference does not likely result in cheaper prices, but in a bigger revenues.
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Spend 5K on a really nice commuter electric bicycle. You'll be doing a solid for the Environment and you'll have an EV that makes you fitter.
My problem with dropping 5K on a bike is that they get stolen
Is there similar plans in the US or at least some states?
Many countries have a funny concept of strategic industries. In mine, dairy is a strategic industry that is coddled by government so that we can have a local source. But every country thinks that so there’s foes and allies that can supply us UHT or powder milk on a moment’s notice. And if our milk supply disappeared tomorrow, everyone over 1y could substitute with 10000000 different things for nutrition. Cars are ano…
How much would it cost to set up TSMC inside US borders? One president cycle? 4 F-35s? One SLS? A nuclear submarine? According to this page, sorting by cost, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_semiconductor_fabricat... the most expensive fab is 33 Giga$. TSMC is 17G$. pennies on the dollar in our 1-3Trillion infrastructure bill. Make america fab again. EDIT: it appears this is in the 2T infrastructure bill. https:…
Making chips seems to be quite a bit more complicated than making and launching rockets, I don't think even Elon Musk could do it.