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CobainPatocrator t1_jadnzig wrote

Is it necessary to stay ahead? Why not simply gain independence?

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S-192 t1_jadz7a8 wrote

This is an important step to do that. It's often hard to be independent without being #1. We do this with our military, with our energy grid, and more. If we can be #1 then we have no need to rely on others.

People who are "ahead" usually get there by going through intense refining of supply chains, talent pools, infrastructure establishment, and more...the kinds of things that promote independence. When others take the lead, countries usually don't go all-in on independence because it's just cheaper/easier/better to rely on others.

People who shit on globalism are as uninformed/economically illiterate as those who thing globalism is a fix-all. The web is complex and independence is, depending on the subject, as useful as it can be foolish/destructive.

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CobainPatocrator t1_jae7gb9 wrote

That assumption that independence = #1 is fraught with assumptions on the needs of the world market. The likelihood that the US can produce the best chips is high. The likelihood it can produce the cheapest/most numerous chips is low. One of those is worth prioritizing, the other is probably not worth the effort, even if it is possible. I'll put my money on impossible given the Chinese are much better at reducing costs.

Not sure what prompted that little rant at the end. I never once mentioned globalism, but alright👍

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