In 1995, when everybody knew that people upgrading to Windows 95 was going to need more RAM, the industry invented a story about a fire in some silicon factory in Singapore. That was the public reason given for the price gouging on RAM, that the raw materials needed to make it were scarce. Similar in concept to why gas prices go up the day before a holiday weekend, because people are sheep and will pay whatever it costs and they know it.

I remember that "fire" story well because I had no choice but to say "Baaaa" and buy the chip for that ridiculous price.


I am using the new 1040XTRAEZ form this year. It has just 2 lines.

1. How much did you make in 2023?
2. Send it to us.