I always found the build quality for Lenovo Thinkpads to be better than any of the top tier Dell laptops. Most of the laptops I had in circulation were Dells and the always gave me problems. The Thinkpads just worked.

The US has been an oligarchy for some time. Act accordingly.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/princeton-experts-say-us-no-longer-democracy

You’ve described my limited FB experience. After refusing to join FB since the 00s, I joined FB a few years ago to get better access to the Marketplace. (Craigslist has gone to shit).

I joined a few groups that interested me and then the constant political bombardment started in the more mainstream groups.

Small niche FB groups are a night and day difference compared to some of the more contemporary groups I’ve seen.

Bot algorithms definitely target large groups with lots of activity. The resulting increased activity due to algorithms just amplify it further.

I just try to stick to my smaller groups to avoid all the mess.

They probably did build it. It’s possible they sourced the necessary chips through intermediaries. Sanctions aren’t going to stop them from getting their hands on small batches.

Sanctions will prevent them from being able to do this at scale. They can’t source enough high end chips to really build out the infrastructure to take advantage of AI for their economy at large.

It is the same with automotive parts. Anything imported from China has at least a 40% markup before it is resold.

If you are young a down market is a great opportunity to buy. That ten years allows you to pick up stock and build your portfolio.

China has terrible demographics, a real estate mark that is in free fall, high debt, is the target of tariffs in every major economy and a domestic market that can’t consume what they produce.

Economically they are fucked unless the US and EU throw them a life line and allow them to dump products in their market again… which is not going to happen no matter which party is in control. The best they can hope for at this point is a Japanese style lost decade. But I doubt they can manage even that outcome.

Bottom line is the CCP will do whatever is in the best interest of the CCP staying in control of China. Even if that decision is terrible for China itself.

If they are backed into a corner it doesn’t matter that Taiwan is out of reach. All that matters is that the CCP stays in control.

That is what makes this next ten years very dangerous.