[fcarraldo]

> Software is or was one of the few remaining arenas wherein a person can find a consistently

Software salary inflation and expansion has made this the case. Tech’s accessibility to the educated has accelerated gentrification massively, rising up prices on rent and food. While the statement is correct, tech’s contribution to income inequality is part of the issue. If you’ve lived in Austin or Chicago (especially Austin) prior to ~2010 you’ll have seen this first hand.

[reverius42]

I don't think there are enough well-paid tech workers to affect things like the (national) market for food. Local rent markets are at least partly explained by this; I agree that the $3M houses near Palo Alto, CA are because of Big Tech salaries, but not the price of ground beef.

[fcarraldo]

Not at the nationally owned chain grocery store, but at local establishments it’s certainly an issue and prices out longtime residents who don’t work in this industry.

Rent prices push everything up in the local market. Housing rents impact business rents in an area, as well as what the business’ owners and employees need to maintain their own lifestyles. People who live there now can pay more and will, so prices go up. But the local shop owner isn’t getting rich, they’re still struggling as everything around them rises.