Anyone else worried?

[CitrusStorm]

Is anyone concerned with the situation unfolding with China & Taiwan?
The fact that Taiwan is under real threat & our economy vulnerable because of the potential difficulty in obtaining microchips?
I've been watching events unfold with a growing sense that this could escalate catastrophically for the world though not many people seem to be aware of what's happening.

There is already a worrying situation closer to home. We are being led by a shambolic government who have proven they couldn't manage to lead us effectively in a public health crisis, are dragging us through a car crash of a Brexit, created this most divisive society since the Thatcher years and have demonstrated a worrying lack of a moral compass in caring for the aged, disabled and those suffering from physical or mental impairment.
Anything other countries do that impacts on our economic well-being will only add fuel to the tinder dry situation we already have.

Sure why not, I'll add it to the list. Thanks for the heads up.

No. And I don't plan to.

Honestly, if I worried about every bad situation that could potentially get worse and have a serious impact on the world, I wouldn't get out of bed in the morning.

I'm not going to concern myself with the lack of availability of microchips

It's been mildly crap situation for 50+ years.
How bad would China look if they made this situation violent, they have so many tension-filled borders to try to keep calm.
Using force is usually a last resort, they are more stealthy at world take over.
Don't think it will go to a worse case scenario.

@HarlanPepper

Sure why not, I'll add it to the list. Thanks for the heads up.

Literally my attitude to everything 😂

"Sure, I'll add it to my endless list of things I worry about when I wake at 3am crippled with fear"

Honestly I don't know how I function with so much anxiety lol but glad I'm not alone x

@HarlanPepper

Sure why not, I'll add it to the list. Thanks for the heads up.

🤣🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

I've been watching events unfold with a growing sense that this could escalate catastrophically for the world though not many people seem to be aware of what's happening.

I agree, it's very concerning. I first became aware of escalating tensions about a year ago but I think it's probably been going on for longer. We live in such an interconnected world and China manufacturers so many of the things we rely on everyday. I'm surprised that a PP doesn't grasp what a big deal a shortage of microchips would be. At some point the global community will have to make a decision about what to do if China decides to take Taiwan by force. Let's hope China backs off.

Okay please explain to me the worry regarding the microchips and I am assuming we aren’t talking in cardboard that you put in the microwave and taste absolutely disgusting because that is not a concern for me 😂

Sorry just lightening the mood 😬. But what is the worry?

Yes, I do feel concerned. Worst of all if the USA went to war with China, then the UK would blindly follow suit.

I think Taiwan makes 3/4 of the world's microchips - as in silicon used in everything to do with electronics and computing. Not the chips you put in the microwave or oven. (For that I recommend McCains gastrochips or whatever they are called - much more expensive but taste so much better.)

Yes OP it’s is worrying but there isn’t really anything we can do about it except wait and see what eventually happens. The fall out from such a conflict would have repercussions which reverberate around the world in ways unimaginable to us all.

I think it’s perhaps too geopolitically ambiguous for the general MNer to converse about right now but no doubt if said conflict does happen the effects to us all would quickly be discussed here.

I'm Team@HarlanPepper

Are the microchips used in cars? I heard there was a shortage of them and secondhand car prices have risen.

Everything is escalating. Try and just live your life. Your brain isn't designed to deal with all of this. We're at a very tricky time in human evolution where the threats seem to be everywhere but we haven't learnt how to keep things at bay in our minds.
Your own personal small life matters. You can't control the other stuff. Sorry - just random thoughts. I worry about every damn thing.
I'll join you all in that wine (dives in...).

@HarlanPepper

Sure why not, I'll add it to the list. Thanks for the heads up.

Yeah this! 👌

@25yearsnhsworker

Are the microchips used in cars? I heard there was a shortage of them and secondhand car prices have risen.

They’re in everything.

But it’s not just microchips. If China invades Taiwan there is a distinct possibility that the USA would get involved to defend Taiwan. A US/Taiwan-China conflict would be terrible for the global supply chain and could quite literally ignite WW3. The first domino to fall in a long line of dominoes.

I'm surprised that a PP doesn't grasp what a big deal a shortage of microchips would be

I guess you are talking about me, in which case you have misinterpreted my post.

My post is about the fact there are many, many things I could worry about. But I'm choosing not to. Life is so much better if you don't worry about things you can't change. For example, the availability of microchips. Or the threat of terrorism. Or nuclear war. Or, other than making my own small difference, climate change. Or the consequences of Brexit.

What is there to gain by me worrying about these things that I can't do sod all about?

I’m more concerned about the US. They love to start wars with Asian countries. Then they drag Britain into their mess.

I remember when all the European microchip factories closed because they couldn't compete on price with chips produced in the far east. Maybe we'll need to rethink that then? Or buy from China. I guess being a service only economy wasnt such a great idea after all.

To be fair @SnowyQueen they dont often have to drag us, we usually come running.

I sometimes feel like a cat watching a tennis match trying to keep up with the latest catastrophe on the horizon. I should have learnt by now that worry changes nothing (used to lay awake as a teenager in the 80s thinking the bomb was about to drop). One day at a time OP.

Let’s be honest the whole world is going to hell in a handcart at the moment

So I am focusing on what I can have influence over

I've been worried since trump started a trade war with China.
Start arguing with a country that makes everything for the whole world?? All they need to do is stop shipping or declining custom with countries in the west and we are all in shit street.

Chip manufacturing used to be done in the UK at one point until outsourced to cheaper wage countries. Time to start building factories and becoming self sufficient in the UK again.

not really noticed.

Common theme here isn't there.

"It used be done in the UK but price"
"UK people won't pick vegetables cause we won't pay them"
"We used European truck drivers because we could exploit them"

For a rich country we sure as tight as hell.

This is why we shouldn't let men be in charge. They can't be trusted not to peacock. Such a bunch of needless willy waving. Move over and let the women take care of business ffs.