[bob1029]

> and you have an unreliable power grid

I'd argue there is a bit of an anti fragility element here. The fact that the approximate black swan event did occur absolutely forced changes throughout. I'd agree things are probably still not ideal but the power grid is about engineering and tradeoffs.

Consider this game theory: Why would Samsung continue to aggressively construct semiconductor factories in Taylor, TX after having suffered a 7-8 figure wafer scrap incident due to the very same grid outage? I can assure you of one thing: There is no way in hell they are running those factories using standby generation, UPS, etc.

[addisonl]

Hasn’t TX had multiple years of grid failures? Not really a “black swan event” if it keeps happening.

[jqpabc123]

"Fragility" is a *feature* that is engineered into the TX grid by right wing politics.

1) No connection to outside grids for backup capacity. Have to maintain that dream of seceding from the union.

2) Their "free market" real time power auction punishes any provider who tries to plan for reserve capacity and extreme events. They are sure to lose out in this auction to those that don't.

3) During extreme events, power prices spike through the roof so people couldn't pay their bill even if they had power. But now government has interfered in this "free market" and set limits on this. Communists!

[x86x87]

Yes, the ones that are the most vocal about "small govnt" and "free market" are the ones that are the first to wait for handouts and bailouts. I say: no thanks. Want your stupid policies? Those come with consequences. People need to separate reality from pipe dreams.

[jqpabc123]

They are the real freeloaders. They love them some government assistance --- they just don't want to pay for any of it.

https://www.kltv.com/2021/02/18/gov-greg-abbott-provide-upda...

...the Governor announced he is requesting a Major Disaster Declaration — which includes Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program — from the White House.