Video: Why 5 Million People Live in America's Hottest City (Phoenix: neighborhoods, wages)

[ElleTea]

I came across this video about the development of Phoenix on YouTube and thought some of you would be interested.

https://youtu.be/AjQuZfkU1jI?si=QC6viz7k3QvXDL9n

[tijlover]

But we're mainly talking temperature, not heat and humidity and the feel effect. In comparison to Houston in the summer time, Phoenix would appear "cooler".

With 110 degrees in summer with low humidity, you shave off 10+ degrees for the feel effect. With Humidity you add 10+ degrees for the feel effect.

[NW Crow]

The 50 minute video length is an issue. I watched part then shifted to reading the transcript. There is good content on several topics but it is mostly about water. A lot on computer chip manufacturing and the geopolitics associated with it.

The influence of LA and Mexico eventually get mentioned but not fully. Low taxes get mentioned but not right to work, low minimum wages til fairly recently, or the lower cost workforce compared to California and other parts of country available thru immigration or via work farmed out across the border.

You don't get talk / pictures about downtown development, neighborhoods or amenities that might be expected. Or politics or other aspects of social history. Will need other resources to address those interests.

Watch or read if you want in-depth of coverage about water.

The multi-billion dollar investments in chip manufacturing would suggest confidence that the water issue will be handled for at least the next 25-50 years. From cuts to agriculture and further conservation adjustments. But some big bets go wrong. They are considering 100 year horizon but it will be future generations that find out if enough is / will be done and how major the changes.

[w7kkk]

Why do so many people live in such a hot place?
It is called AC. in the home, business and your car.
I remember back in the 1960s when AC was not common at all and Phoenix had few living there.

[exit2lef]

Mixed reactions. The video deals mostly with issues of water supply and how that influences Phoenix's role in the global economy. Those details are interesting. On the other hand, it appears to be compiled with stock images rather than original footage, and at times it seems needlessly othering and exoticizing as if to say "Look at those funny people who live in that weird place." The fact that the Phoenix Metro Area has a population of five million means that it's part of the mainstream, like it or not.

[Potential_Landlord]

AC and suburbia. That's what people want and what Phoenix offers. Onto the next 5 million.

[My2cents55]

Originally Posted by w7kkk

Why do so many people live in such a hot place?
It is called AC. in the home, business and your car.
I remember back in the 1960s when AC was not common at all and Phoenix had few living there.

Sheesh that must have been a miserable existence this city isn't inhabitable without AC these days.

[mborner]

Originally Posted by My2cents55

Sheesh that must have been a miserable existence this city isn't inhabitable without AC these days.

It's the wussification of America.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by tijlover

But we're mainly talking temperature, not heat and humidity and the feel effect. In comparison to Houston in the summer time, Phoenix would appear "cooler".

With 110 degrees in summer with low humidity, you shave off 10+ degrees for the feel effect. With Humidity you add 10+ degrees for the feel effect.

Interesting to note that while the video mentioned summer temperatures, nothing was said about how "tolerable" the dry heat is ... nor was it mentioned about how fantastic the weather is year round. Gee, I wonder why that is. Perhaps it's because not everybody shares the belief that endless sun, extreme summer heat, and a lack of rain are good qualities. Many people live here for other reasons besides weather & climate.

Originally Posted by exit2lef

Mixed reactions. The video deals mostly with issues of water supply and how that influences Phoenix's role in the global economy. Those details are interesting. On the other hand, it appears to be compiled with stock images rather than original footage, and at times it seems needlessly othering and exoticizing as if to say "Look at those funny people who live in that weird place." The fact that the Phoenix Metro Area has a population of five million means that it's part of the mainstream, like it or not.

Water will always be an issue, but there are basic solutions which seem to be difficult to fulfill. Over 70% of the available water is devoted to agriculture, even taking into consideration the reduction in farming. Water intensive crops (alfalfa, cotton, etc.) need to be phased out entirely here. They can be grown in other parts of the country where water isn't as scarce. Also, the desal plant should become a reality. We don't need to be protecting every cactus or rodent that might be in the way of a pipeline. Just do it!

The video emphasized the role Phoenix has in the semiconductor industry. This has been a factor for quite a while, but it appears to be increasing even further. The disappointing part is how the TSMC chip plants continuously face delays due to a shortage of specialized labor. Has it ever been questioned WHY there is a specialized worker shortage ... and is it primarily in the Phoenix market, or is this an issue nationwide?

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Interesting to note that while the video mentioned summer temperatures, nothing was said about how "tolerable" the dry heat is ... nor was it mentioned about how fantastic the weather is year round. Gee, I wonder why that is. Perhaps it's because not everybody shares the belief that endless sun, extreme summer heat, and a lack of rain are good qualities. Many people live here for other reasons besides weather & climate.




Water will always be an issue, but there are basic solutions which seem to be difficult to fulfill. Over 70% of the available water is devoted to agriculture, even taking into consideration the reduction in farming. Water intensive crops (alfalfa, cotton, etc.) need to be phased out entirely here. They can be grown in other parts of the country where water isn't as scarce. Also, the desal plant should become a reality. We don't need to be protecting every cactus or rodent that might be in the way of a pipeline. Just do it!

The video emphasized the role Phoenix has in the semiconductor industry. This has been a factor for quite a while, but it appears to be increasing even further. The disappointing part is how the TSMC chip plants continuously face delays due to a shortage of specialized labor. Has it ever been questioned WHY there is a specialized worker shortage ... and is it primarily in the Phoenix market, or is this an issue nationwide?

This weekend, I just was with an engineering friend who sold close to a billion $'s worth of Semi equipment to the Peoria plant. He said that their culture is obnoxious. They call "emergency meetings" whenever they want. Even at 6PM on a Friday. But they aren't "emergencies" and the questions have no impact on their schedules. They ask for the moon and up to now, suppliers are bending over and giving away more, and more margin. They are starting to get pushback from abused and exhausted suppliers. He stated that workers in the States (many of course who ARE lazy and many who are not) don't want to work for less money at a much more aggressive sweat-shop pace. He is contemplating resigning from his job. He said it isn't worth dealing with their abuse.

My friend explained that Taiwanese engineers and workers are going to backfill the missing talent. Most don't want to come. But with the ones that do, and from multiple conversations he has had with those who have come over to help, he sees a pattern to their questions. He figures they will come to the USA to get out of Taiwan long-term. After their contract expires (I think he said it was 2 years), the worker is looking forward to working elsewhere with a green card. One reason is they see a bullseye on their back with an eventual Chinese invasion.

In short, part of the worker shortage is because they have a terrible, sweatshop reputation.