HamsterHookah

Nailed it. Sorta.

Forever a classic bit that will make me laugh. RIP Norm.

Would have been awesome.

Was just going to say: trading 250,000 jobs via tech-layoff paying $130k for 750,000 jobs paying $43k via low-skill hospitality jobs isn't the win people think it is.

Average interest rates fell to 6.09% this week, down from 6.95% in November, and the market is (sort of) starting to heat up, according to The New York Times. Sales of new homes rose 2.3% between November and December 2022. But sales of existing homes fell 1.5%, marking the 11th straight monthly decline. A Zillow economist told the NYT that while she expects continued interest rate declines to entice more buyers, home prices will likely see minimal decline. Experts suggest an interest rate of 5.5% would be a Goldilocks range — comfortable for sellers and buyers. So is that a happy ending? Potentially. Except, recession fears may spoil it. A bad economy would likely keep the housing market in limbo, so the real estate industry badly wants the economic “soft landing” the Fed is attempting. As for renters: After huge nationwide increases, several major markets are seeing slight declines in monthly rents.

For those wondering about this comment: https://deadline.com/2023/01/as-writers-strike-looms-reality-producers-optimistic-unscripted-boom-1235241575/ The last writers strike unleashed upon the the world a deluge of Trash TV: Keeping Up with the Kardashians which later spawned things like Real Housewives of XYZ. American population to the Studios: "Okay guys, one more thing, this summer when you're being inundated with all the Writers demand and Strike threat brouhaha, don't forget what you're celebrating, and that's the fact that America cannot survive another iteration and huge wave of unscripted Trash TV to further demoralize the populace and speed up our cultural decay."

Sorry! Mea Culpa! I thought it was funny and meant to do the laughing guy emoji rep. I've amended that. Fat fingered the response in a hurry.

Seems like it's still in the air-- not a ton of meat about this out there about it when you google it to be honest: "Amid restructurings at such companies as Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery and the threat of a potential recession that writers say is hurting both the showrunner and workaday writer class, “This is going to be a weird moment that is going to test our ability to figure out whether or not we can get some of the things we need in a treacherous economic position,” says one veteran TV scribe who puts the odds of a strike after the WGA contract expires at 20 percent. (The WGA West says in a statement that general membership meetings about the negotiations are set to begin in early 2023.) David H. Steinberg, showrunner of Netflix’s No Good Nick, adds that with middle-class writers feeling the pain from streaming-era issues like “mini-rooms” — which tend to pay writers less than official writers rooms — and shorter orders of series than were typical in the past, “That’s why you would think there would be an inclination toward a strike because these issues just need to be resolved.” But he adds that the likelihood of a strike will ultimately depend on what studios offer writers: “Until they sit at the table, you have no idea what the studios are going to do.”" It sounds like the bolded is the crux of the issue? A general devaluation (or dilution) of writers and creators in the streaming era? With streamers cutting budgets you'd think it would tighten a bit and go back to normal from the insane pandemic budgets and ton of content. I see a lot of analogy between the tech industry and the content/streaming (which I guess makes sense because it's tech) in that there is a general pullback from headier and spend-crazy days: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/writers-strike-2023-talks-guilds-1235283219/

In respect to Netflix vs the other streamers and their financial positions:

Why are the writers striking? Do you have any links we can read up on the grievances and the gulf between what the union wants and what is offered, etc.?

I'll search for it. One of the things I found to be very interesting about Netflix specifically is this revisionist history we (collectively as a culture) have about Netflix and Blockbuster. I blame the easy to manipulate digital disruption narrative, but essentially Netflix didn't put Blockbuster out of business because Blockbuster refused to buy them and so then Netflix just disrupted and outcompeted them while Blockbuster sat on their hands, but Blockbuster put up a great fight and but a decision or two would have nipped Netflix's essential ascent in the bud if not for some C-level mixups and running out of money while trying to lay siege and starve Netflix out:

Interesting. You can still walk to Dakota's and take the elevator down for lunch at least!

Again sorry for the derail, but I once did some work with Hunt Oil Technology once upon a time (again probably 10 years ago) and it was in a building next to Stephen Pyles restaurant, is that the same building? Upon doing a quick search it appears that Stephen Pyles restaurant AND Stampede 66 have permanently closed. How about that.

I searched "Clancy" today to see if there is discussion around another thread and you, sir, have mentioned "Tom Clancy" on this thread alone, 16 times. SIXTEEN times, in like 9 months. Do you love Tom Clancy books?

Dang near made me cry, I tell ya.

He's definitely had work done.

It's not in the Chase Building anymore? I went to a luncheon once probably about 10 years ago now.

No worries, it wasn't. I think Tesla stock and Bitcoin are both ridiculous (and entertaining and fun to watch) and am ambivalent to both, which is unique because these usually invite strong opinions on both sides.

Which, brings up interesting questions right? First and foremost as a young athlete, wouldn't you change your specialization to something that isn't a commodity with the lowest value? Young RB's are going to convert to different positions you'd think, just like people don't study COBOL anymore but are studying Python or whatever coding language pays. Next, what (if anything) should the NFL do about protecting the position from being a devalued commodity that uses and abuses people and gives a short shelf life?

How much money is UT giving, if any?

Of course you are correct. And I've learned my lesson to try and be humorous with you.

The joke was Tesla got up to $408 a share at one point, which was driven by (among other things) speculation, and the stock is rocketing again and...who knows?

It's a bull trap. More pain to come. Buy the dip again when it happens.

We are talking about Tesla stock, right? 😛

I get that, I really do. But what I'm saying to you is that in theory and on paper, it is very easy to say. If you or your loved one were to have a vaccine injury-- whether that be a blood clot or a lifelong autoimmune disease-- the collective interest of the community suddenly is not as important as the acute, personal outcome in your own life. Maybe to some, but not to others at least-- and that "selfishness" is not immoral or unethical, or at least is debatably so unlike people who want to legislate morality for others. As I mentioned in the first post-- there are no 100% safe and sure things. The law of large numbers says someone, somewhere will get screwed. Whether it be from a vaccine injury or from getting Covid-19. I assume there is an acceptable number by way of a % for people being hurt by the vaccinations that can be kept under to put a vaccination (or any medication) on the market, hence the crazy side-effect warnings for most meds. I think today being scared of the Covid-19 vaccination is being a chicken little, to @Sawbonz point on the data we now have **checks notes** two years later, but I also think (and said) that in the immediate time after the vaccine was rushed to market, there is sane and reasonable reason to take a wait and see approach. Especially as the pharma companies were given legal immunity, so there was no remedy for any damages. That's it.