SilverFly
Legend
Putting aside your own job security for a minute, what are your thoughts about the gov pumping money into Intel? It seems like a really dumb move, to me. I would much rather see that money go to projects like RISC-V and have the gov set up their own fab.
Lack of incentive to compete is the usual argument for not having public companies, but that seems like a completely moot point here; imagine how much revenue the government would gain, if their products were good enough for the private sector, while also meeting security needs. Two birds with one stone. It seems like a no-brainer, but I'm probably just ignorant and naive.
While I'm not a fan of government subsidizing corporations, I think in this case it's warranted. Intel may have fallen behind in terms of market competitiveness but from my limited understanding that is largely due to failures in adapting to market changes (lack of "vision" if you will).
The actual technology that Intel is using to make chips is right at the cutting edge. The tech that determines how small the transistors and circuits are is a photographic (Photolithography) process. Intel has been doing a ton of development in EUV Lithography which are systems made by my prior employer ASML (I've been working for my current employer, a former customer, since 2003). Anyway, this EUV shit is nothing short of mind blowing.
The point being it's one thing to develop a tech like this in a pure R&D facility, but producing economically viable products is an entirely different level. For that reason propping up Intel is a good compromise. They have also have a new CEO that seems a bit more market savvy.
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