The memory shortage has nothing to do with Iran, it was happening months before
You're partially correct. Shortages occurred even before the attack on Iran, with AI data centers consuming vast volumes of DRAM and NAND flash memory. This was/is fueled in part by AI's massive appetite for high-speed storage. However, according to a statement from the company "Sony suspended the sale of memory cards due to the global shortage of semiconductors (memory) and other factors, including a helium shortage.".
The helium shortage affects memory card production in several ways, including directly by affecting the semiconductor manufacturing process. Helium is essential for chipmaking, as it is used for wafer cooling during the photolithography process and for leak detection in complex chip manufacturing. The shortage of helium, which is a byproduct of LNG, has been exacerbated by the war in Iran, which has disrupted the supply of this critical material.
So, why did make the comment about Data Centers? anyway, I gave you more info, regardless if you care or not.
Is part 2 of your argument coming out soon or is that it?
Silence is the best answer for a fool.
the AI Data Centers
This isn't just a shortage of helium, it is an extinction event. If the flow stops, the modern world stops. No Qatar means no computer chips. No chips means no AI, no no servers and of course the Data Centers will suffer.
Not a semiconductor shortage
The shortage is of helium. There is no alternative to helium, and about a third of global supply comes from the Persian Gulf, mainly Qatar. Helium is crucial for semiconductor manufacturing due to its inertness, high thermal conductivity, and cryogenic properties. It is used in the cooling process, leak detection, etching, and cleaning. The semiconductor industry consumes nearly 10–15% of the global helium supply.
It has to be. No one is that stupid to collapse the entire global economy.
Memory products may be just for starters. Sony is raising the price of its PS5 consoles. The new prices will take effect on April 2. Same reason, shortage of computer chips and global economic situation (e.g. Persian Gulf disaster). Where else are chips being used in?
Maybe old, maybe it's not your cup of tea. How about game devices? PS5 prices set to rise sharply, Sony increases prices worldwide.
Sony has announced a global price hike for the PlayStation 5 due to the current global economic situation. The new prices will take effect on April 2.
The list of affected memory products includes CFexpress Type A, Type B, and SDXC/SDHC cards, although a few models of Type B and low-end SF-UZ series SD cards remain in production. There is no alternative to helium, and about a third of global supply comes from the Persian Gulf, mainly Qatar. Taiwan relies heavily on Helium and LNG to power its grid and semiconductor industry. Helium is crucial for the production of advanced chips, such as those manufactured by NVIDIA, Intel, etc. Helium is also crucial for medical MRI scanners.
To cope with the shortage of a crucial raw material, helium suppliers are prioritizing healthcare over other industries, while the global supply chain faces additional pressure.
No, thorium reactors cannot make helium. Helium is produced as a byproduct of the radioactive decay of thorium and uranium, but it is not created by thorium reactors.
Henry Kissinger said this in November 1968 after Nixon was elected president: "It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal.".
Maybe you're right. Time will tell.
We will miss the internet
The Internet will still operate. Helium is crucial for medical MRI scanners and the production of advanced chips, such as those manufactured by NVIDIA.
However, you might miss other things like helium balloons. To cope with the shortage of a crucial raw material, helium suppliers are prioritizing healthcare over other industries, while the global supply chain faces additional pressure. Less critical sectors, such as welding and balloons, will likely face supply cuts.
There is no alternative to helium. Also Taiwan relies heavily on LNG to power its grid and semiconductor industry, any prolonged disruption could force energy rationing and threaten chip production.
We are witnessing the absolute fragility of the computer chip industry. Taiwan produces 90% of the world’s advanced chips, but they are 100% dependent on a supply chain that runs through the Strait of Hormuz. This isn't just a shortage, it is an extinction event. If the flow stops, the modern world stops. No Qatar means no computer chips. No chips means no AI, no smartphones, no smart-TVs, no laptops, no EVs, etc. The global Cabal have allowed the entire tech empire to be held hostage by a single narrow chokepoint.
Taiwan is less than a month away from a global technology extinction.
You just not aware. Every year, in spring and autumn, Russia stop (or noticeably limit) exports of fertilizers, diesel and other goods important for agriculture
I was not aware of that. Looks like you're correct, according to the Logos Press Business Review "Russia suspended ammonium nitrate exports for a month. Exports will resume on April 21.".
According to Reuters "Russia, a major fertiliser exporter, lacks the capacity to boost production this year amid a global supply crunch caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz,".
Why US, who, I'm pretty sure have more than enough resources to produce any necessary amount of fertilizers, don't want to be a sovereign state and protect its own farmers
It's not how U.S. operates, it behaves like any other empire. Imperialism is a system where one powerful nation conquers, controls and exploits several colonies, and this is exactly what U.S. does. An extension, or re-incarnation if you will, of the ancient Roman Empire. They will subsidize the farmers, but only if required for commodity markets manipulation. The US Government doesn't give a s*it about their own farmers.
certainly about protection of fucking Israel to open what was not even closed until US start to protect Israel
I have a different take on this, and I'm pretty sure I'm in minority here. USA doesn't want to protect Israel any longer. Agreed, It did in the past, because it served the imperial interests... but, now it's time for the grand finale as far as Israel is concerned, IMO. In other words, the fake state of Israel has achieved its purpose and now must be destroyed. Nothing new really, something we were told a long time ago in 1871, by Albert Pike.
And the term “Zionism” was coined by Austrian writer, journalist, and Jewish nationalist Nathan Birnbaum in 1890. Just a couple of decades later.
Today criticizing the actions of the state of Israel often (and in some countries every time) results in one being labelled as “antisemitic.” This trend shuts down meaningful discussion and obscures important distinctions, particularly between political ideology and religious or ethnic identity. Which is not good for anyone, especially the Jews, IMO.
So, looking back, perhaps it was 1860 or 1865 when they came up with the term "antisemitism" to stop any criticism of this upcoming Jewish movement, "Zionism". They always plan ahead.
I would never bother to make a post about some market prices rise, especially if it is just around 25%
Sulfur and ammonium nitrate are commonly combined in fertilizers. Some examples of such fertilizers are:
- UAN (urea and ammonium nitrate) + S. This is a liquid nitrogen fertilizer with sulfur that combines the positive qualities of three nitrogen fertilizers: ammonium nitrate, urea, and ammonium thiosulfate.
- Ammonium nitrate enriched with sulfur. This is a mixture of ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate (30% N, 6% S).
Fertilizers containing sulfur and ammonium nitrate are used in agriculture to provide plants with nitrogen and sulfur. They are applied in the pre-sowing phase or during the autumn vegetation for wheat and rapeseed.
Just to give you an example, Russia (I guess your country) just halted ammonium nitrate fertilizer exports to prioritize domestic farmers amid the ongoing Iran conflict. It's the supply & availability of sulfur that drives the price. And we're not looking at only 25% increase, that may be just just the start.
Same thing, helium. However some sellers may use hydrogen instead of helium to fill these type of balloons, as hydrogen is less expensive but highly explosive. So, it's a good idea, to ensure safety, to ask for helium specifically when ordering birthday party balloons.
What, are you some kind of antisemite?
The word “antisemite” was first used in print in 1865. It was coined by Wilhelm Marr, a German journalist and politician who founded his own anti-Jewish party in 1879. IMO, the "antisemite" accusation is used to manipulate those who criticize zionists. Allows the zionist jews to play the victim card, and they do that every chance they get. As Shulamit Aloni, a former israeli minister, admits: "We always use the anti-Semitism trick or bring up the Holocaust".
Consumers will have no choice but pay more in autumn for food. Not a big deal
It's your opinion, not mine. I believe paying more for something as essential as food IS A BIG DEAL for many people. Perhaps not as privileged as you are. Food prices have increased steeply over the last two years due to the war in Ukraine and other reasons, and now with the situation in the Persian Gulf are about to go through the roof. In my opinion food shortages and massive increases in food prices often contribute to revolutions, as seen in the French Revolution of 1789. Famine is one of the main causes of empire collapse, and population decline. For example, during the fall of the Roman Empire, the climate changed, which resulted in famines and pestilences.
Increased prices of fertilizers and pesticides affect food supply in several ways:
- Higher production costs. Fertilizers and pesticides are energy-intensive to manufacture, so rising energy prices lead to higher production costs, which are passed on to consumers in the form of higher food prices.
- Reduced crop yields. Farmers respond to scarce supplies by purchasing and using less fertilizer, which can negatively impact crop yields for the next harvest.
- Supply chain disruptions. The conflict in Iran and political instability in key producing Gulf countries in the region lead to supply volatility, impacting global availability and pricing.
- Increased food prices. If fertilizer costs rise by 50% per unit of crop output, total farm production costs increase, which is then passed on to grocery prices.
paniked like you
I don't know where you come up with this "panic" thing from? I'm simply showing here one of the negative consequences from this very destructive war on Iran. If you don't care it's your business, just don't accuse me of panicking. I'm not.
Yes, there will be 25% less sulfur on the market, but there is sulfur on the market.
The number one producer of sulfur is U.S., so you would think maybe the Americans will be happy, with prices going up. But, talk to an American farmer in Iowa and he'll tell you fertilizer is available, but 70% more expensive. Same goes for all the products that require sulfur, the farmer needs pesticides to kill insects, mites, fungi, and rodents. Up 50% ... it all adds up. So, the farmer in Iowa says to himself "why should I plant this Spring, at these prices, when I will lose money in autumn?" so, are we looking at famine not only in poor countries, but countries like USA?
why there is so much panic around all that negligible price hikes
It's not only the price of sulfur going up, it's the availability. This is the hit most people haven't yet grasped: 92% of sulfur is a petroleum byproduct. So Hormuz closure doesn't just cut oil, it cuts sulfuric acid feedstock at the source. Plus sulfuric acid isn't only a mining input. it's used in semiconductor wafer cleaning. So, the same disruption that hits copper and uranium production also pressures chip fabrication chemicals. one chokepoint, three supply chains.
Sulfuric acid is essential to extract metals from rock. Elemental sulfur is used as a component of fertilizers, for example, in the form of calcium sulfate, commonly found in nature as the mineral gypsum. However, sulfur is also used in dusts, wettable powders, liquids, or fumigant gas cartridges to kill insects, mites, fungi, and rodents. Sulfur is used in pharmaceutical skin preparations for the treatment of acne and other conditions. And of course Sulfur is used in the production of sulfuric acid, in the vulcanization of natural rubber, in black gunpowder, in detergents, and in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizers.
The market was already tight, with prices up around 500% even before the conflict. The Middle East accounts for about 24% of global sulfur production, and producers typically hold only a few weeks to two months of supply.
Without sulfuric acid, production drops.
Around 20% of global copper, more than 50% of uranium, and 30% of nickel production depend directly on it.
With critical energy infrastructure being destroyed, these shortages won’t disappear even when the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
I did not even know Helium was a natural occurring substance
Yes, helium is naturally occurring. It is commonly produced by the decay of radiogenic material sourced from granitic rocks in the Earth’s crust.
Helium is one of the noble gases, along with neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon, and oganesson.
I just know its in special balloons
You are correct, helium is used in weather balloons, blimps. But also in semiconductors and MRI machines for cooling.
I see. And I agree with you. Shortages occurred even before the attack on Iran, with AI data centers consuming vast volumes of DRAM and NAND flash memory. This was/is fueled in part by AI's massive appetite for high-speed storage. However, according to a statement from the company "Sony suspended the sale of memory cards due to the global shortage of semiconductors (memory) and other factors, including a helium shortage.".