I am currently listening to the audiobook of Chip Wars by Chris Miller. An interesting and expansive look into the history of microchip technology. (Highly recommend)

It is fascinating to see how far back the industry goes - despite the personal computing revolution taking place in my lifetime and computers still feeling “new” in the grand scheme of things.

One thing I like about studying history is the principles of success often remain the same. This excerpt could apply to any industry or product:

“Business success requires being the lowest cost producer with the highest quality product.”

Finding that balance between cost and quality separates the good from the great. Focus on it, differentiate yourself, and you will be in good shape.

Now I am off to listen for more nuggets of wisdom.

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It is a great book, just be careful in how you interpret the coverage of the ongoing US v. China competition. I personally view that as being the primary rationale behind why the book was written.

While I wholly agree that the US should be doing everything possible to keep China from accessing high tech including chip technology, American foreign policy has once again fumbled the ball focusing on near term profits over longer term geopolitical strategy.

You'll see in the linked story below that after more than a year of hyped media coverage, the US looks to be exempting Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands from any sanctions on selling critical chip equipment to China. These exemptions alone essentially defeat fully any impact sanctions will have on China.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/new-us-rule-foreign-chip-equipment-exports-china-exempt-some-allies-sources-say-2024-07-31/

Great book. It really makes you wonder what going on under the hood for them to let that market completely slip through their grasp.

Would love to have been a fly on the wall during some of the behind the scenes moments.

I find myself saying this all the time.