Weekly, What recent changes are going on at your work / local businesses?
Posted by AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit | PrepperIntel | View on Reddit | 196 comments
This weekly post somehow didn't go live Thursday morning, thank you for those that pointed it out. We literally have no idea why but are assuming it was the Iran megathread messing with it.
Weekly, What recent changes are going on at your work / local businesses?
This could be, but not limited to:
- Local business observations.
- Shortages / Surpluses.
- Work slow downs / much overtime.
- Order cancellations / massive orders.
- Economic Rumors within your industry.
- Layoffs and hiring.
- New tools / expansion.
- Wage issues / working conditions.
- Boss changing work strategy.
- Quality changes.
- New rules.
- Personal view of how you see your job in the near future.
- Bonus points if you have some proof or news, we like that around here.
- News from close friends about their work.
DO NOT DOX YOURSELF. Wording is key.
Thank you all, -Mod Anti
RagnarStonefist@reddit
We are cutting spending rapidly. Our biggest clients are suddenly backing off on services. Facilities industry
Then_Ad7822@reddit
Still a lot of respiratory illnesses in the PNW, along with some trauma calls because of the warmer weather. Some coworkers have been pinged for identity leaks and potential fraud like I was a few months back.
We’re completely out of Avagard hand sanitizer, and were out of masks for like a day. Which sucks, in an icu. Turns out to have been a minor blip in the shipping schedule, but with everything going on with the Strait of Hormuz I don’t have confidence it’ll get better.
SpacemanLost@reddit
Seattle here - I'm got all the vaccines for this year and I picked up a flu-type virus that didn't care, most likely when I was out last weekend at Costco (there were a good number of people in there just coughing away and generally getting in everyone else's way) doing a major stock up. By Wednesday it hit and hit hard - the symptoms - chills, aches, nasal rivers, etc were on the severe end of the scale, and even though I'm on the mend today, my throat is shredded. The couple times I had to go out, I masked up and had sanitizer.
No_Possible_7108@reddit
Are the trauma calls related to the respiratory issues complicated by the warmth, or is there another factor influenced by the warmer weather?
Then_Ad7822@reddit
From what I can share, it generally seems to be more people enjoying the unusual warmer weather here. There’s been a few trauma cases that were genuine flukes of fate and couldn’t have been prevented sadly, but I think the “trauma season” will be starting earlier and finishing later in the year.
tmiller9833@reddit
There is zero high density memory to buy for servers or CAD systems...across vendors. Last year the main supplier Crucial (Micron) stopped selling to the public. Pic of a CAD workstation configuration screen on Dell's site.
theteg@reddit
Dell had a huge price increase on desktops and laptops
cdrknives@reddit
Same with HP. The company I work for is still trying to nail down pricing. Purchase of PCs is on hold for right now. Leadtimes 12+ weeks right now, expecting this to increase
theteg@reddit
Yep, we're working on the same I've heard Lenovo also had the same price jumps. I'm sure next few years are gonna be reaaaalll fun for teams that run IT refresh projects
cdrknives@reddit
Yeah we typically lease but are looking at buying out the leases at the end right now to kick the can a bit.
theteg@reddit
That's smart, we use a disposal vendor that will sell the equipment and we get a decent kick back. So we have to keep on them too just to be sure since the second hand market exploded too
Accomplished_Age_699@reddit
Lol I do CAD full-time. Luckily, on a work computer.
175junkie@reddit
My job has been panick buying for the last two weeks, seems like a lot of raw materials are going up to 30% in price very soon.
SmartShallot4764@reddit
It’s the beginning of the spring planting season and I had to go to three different hardware/ outdoors stores to get soil and the small bags of fertilizer I needed
fing_delightful@reddit
If you have the space, bunnies make pretty cool fertilizer!
2quickdraw@reddit
I'm on my third year of meat rabbits. We've expanded our garden area three times and the bunnies help a TON with fertilizer. I have several shelves crammed with fertilizersn that I bought over the last 4 years in one of my sheds. I looked at prices of small bags of vegetable fertilizers at the garden department today, and was really glad I'd added some additional stuff for my fruit trees and general garden fertilizers a month ago.
Ooutoout@reddit
Might be a good idea to grab an extra fertilizer if you rely on it. It'll keep til next season.
SmartShallot4764@reddit
Will do!!
Impossible_Range6953@reddit
I am in north east and ended up going to costco for my large order mostly due to price. Last summer was brutal for most food stuff I planted so I am redoing a few planters to not carry diseases into the new season 🤞🏻
angrytetchy@reddit
East/Hilo side of Big Island, Hawaii:
Episode 44 of the volcano done, Merrie Monarch wrapping up with the parade today and Hula ʻAuana tonight along with winners of the competition announced. The visitor exodus will commence shortly.
Cat tax:
gyanrahi@reddit
AR15 stripped lowers are sold out almost everywhere.
No_Possible_7108@reddit
Sorry, I am mostly gun illiterate. Is there something particularly concerning about this part being sold out, or is it just a general note that inventory is low?
gyanrahi@reddit
What OP said. It is THE core component of an AR15 build which is also the controlled one (you need a permit in my state).
It just means that people who are able/want to build AR15 are buying it hands over fists.
SignificanceLate7002@reddit
Just out of curiosity, is there any indication that the shortage is based on rising sales or is there a possibility the stock is low due to supply chain issues?
gyanrahi@reddit
I think both from what I see. It is just very difficult to find anything online, people talk about it in reddit subs etc. it is the rumor mill.
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
Generally people of all walks of life buy firearms when they're scared, its a phenomenon I have observed many times, and have heard stories of now over a century old that my grandfather told me about his parents even.
Anyways, stripped lower receivers are the base serialized part of building a AR platform firearm. The rest you can order or make / build on almost lego style. Only other rules after that comes down "legal configuration" But that serialized part, is where all the legal strings attach. I would want to know if pre-builds are sold out first, that'd be more telling of the situation.
AnomalyNexus@reddit
As a non american...does "stripped lowers" imply that 3D printing rest is taking off?
gyanrahi@reddit
Think of them as bare minimum mounting bracket. Look them up online. I am sure they can be 3D printed (it is probably illegal and with questionable results). The ones I am talking about are made from military grade metal in armories.
I-am-Mojo-Jojo@reddit
Depends on the state (it’s only illegal or prohibited in 6 or so states). But everywhere else, legal to make. You can’t sell them or transfer them. It also has to be able to be detected by metal detectors. So a metal firing pin should do it. They also can’t be short barrel, automatic, or silenced unless you have the appropriate permits.
pct2daxtreme@reddit
Bet it’s for spare parts or buying before the price goes up.
arb1698@reddit
Bank rules being relaxed at federal level. Much less capital and can do a lot more risk like lower capital then pre 2007.
Littleshuswap@reddit
Rhuh-rho!
arb1698@reddit
Exactly how I feel.
t_s_d12@reddit
Newbie here. My husband is a plumber and we run our own company. Within the last year we've had many projects where people are turning areas on their property into livable space for renting out. Whether it's their basement, garage, and even turning sheds into tiny homes.
HeavySigh14@reddit
Not to be nosy, but how is the company doing? My partner is planning on starting a plumbing business and getting a qualifier. Are you guys big enough for multiple employees or are you just managing his projects?
t_s_d12@reddit
Business is very good rn. We have two employees, a licensed guy and an apprentice. I do all the book work. We got in with a handful of mid sized contractors and this year we are winning some big projects
HeavySigh14@reddit
(If I could ask more questions please?) - when you were first starting out, what did you focus on from the business side? What did you spend money on early in it that ended up being a waste of time or a great help to you?
jednaz@reddit
My spouse is an architect and contractor and we are owners of the architecture firm and contracting business. Our state recently passed new regulations on ADUs (accessory dwelling units) that relaxed the permitting requirements for adding on to a property and municipalities had to adopt by the beginning of this year. We already have some commercial off the shelf drawings for these kind of units as we have done several over the years, these plans can be easily modified to fit the property. We started a sub-business/DBA and launched a website specifically to sell this product and permitting service. And we were not the first to do so.
Of course, one can only build if the labor and materials are there and costs are not prohibitive. That remains to be seen.
iloveschnauzers@reddit
I’ve been watching this column for years, and the last few months this column has become extremely active. It used to be a sleepy area, but now has a lot of worrisome reporting, from all over North America, mostly.
bumbledbeez@reddit
Same. I remember when it would take the full week to get 20 responses. Then I watched it slowly go up to 40. Then over 60. Then over 100. And now by the end of the week there are 200-300 responses here.
CannyGardener@reddit
Heh, meta-intel. The increase in intel is itself intel.
Separate_Fold5168@reddit
column intensifies
MsCalendarsPlayaArt@reddit
This column?
bryanthecrab@reddit
Costco west coast USA, went in on I think Tuesday night? It was the busiest I've ever seen it non-holiday up right until close. Didn't seem negative per se, but the air was not really happy either. People seemed to be maintaining stress levels.
Tlr321@reddit
I’m wondering if it’s because it’s the start of the month & SSI & SNAP recipients got paid? Maybe that’s playing into it? I’d wonder if we see something similar in two weeks or so
bryanthecrab@reddit
Great idea. Seems like a lot of people had similar experiences, but that is a classic correlation vs causation. I might try to go again a few times just to see what’s happening
SpacemanLost@reddit
Seattle area. 3 trips in last 10 days between 2 locations. Same experience.
mystery_biscotti@reddit
Yeah, I seem to recall gas prices were set to change to $5+ on Wednesday morning. A friend went to Costco early to get his weekly supplies since he got called to work over this weekend.
Coolbreeze1989@reddit
Texas and same experience. I literally was “THAT” person who stopped and stared at the lines (sorry to lady behind me!). I am a Costco addict and go all the time (during the week). Never seen it that bad, even pre hurricane.
Proper-Muscle734@reddit
Do we think there is panic buying going on and it’s not being covered?
Coolbreeze1989@reddit
Part of it maybe spring break meaning more families making it seem busier. I do think Costco shoppers are more likely to have the means to stock up. I’ve not seen a lot of empty shelves, though, so I think we’re still in “cautious prepping” vs”panic buying”. But I’m no expert on retail Econ. 🤓
fatcatleah@reddit
Same at a Portland OR Costco. It was jammed mid day on Thursday. Very weird! Oh, and lots of full flat carts and full regular carts. I only got a few things and it was $143.
iwantmy-2dollars@reddit
NorCal same on Wednesday night, aisles were oddly crowded around 6-8pm.
Proper-Muscle734@reddit
East coast. Friend went in and said those exact words. Was tues or weds.
iveseensomethings82@reddit
Large healthcare organization is not backfilling positions. If someone leaves, an existing employee just gets some more assignments.
HeavySigh14@reddit
If Healthcare, the only portion of our economy that’s thriving, is shutting down, we’re all in for a rough time tbh
Miss-Information_@reddit
Yep, the Republican big bill killed hospital systems nation-wide and it's just not in the news at all yet. A local mid-sized system is expecting a $50M budget defect over the next 3 years. It's gonna be bad
Potential-One-3107@reddit
Same thing with my family member who works for a large health care organization
HeavySigh14@reddit
When I started at my current job (tech) two years ago, we had 10 members on my team. We’re down to 4 now, and not backfilling any of the roles anymore. 4 resigned after RTO and 2 resigned a year after. All of them were older than 50 and chose to retire vs navigating against AI. I was one of the youngest people on the whole floor, and it does not inspire any sort of confidence in my future.
My previous role I left after 2 of my older co-workers were laid off one day, and I saw this 65+ year old man crying at his desk that he wasn’t financially prepared to retire and knew he wasn’t going to get hired anywhere else.
I have him on LinkedIn and he’s still looking for a job and earning certs
PricedOut4Ever@reddit
Yeah, I write software and honestly feel like what manufacturer employees must have felt in the 70s/80s. Claude is not doing all of my work, but it’s doing a lot. My job is going to be completely different in 2 years and I’m hoping I can stay relevant.
Th3_Admiral_@reddit
My boss has outright said "We have more work to do this year than we have employees, so we're going to be relying on AI to bridge that gap."
That is such a demoralizing thing to hear as an employee, because I know I'm going to be overworked and expected to rely on Copilot to somehow produce more work than I could before. In his defense, all of these decisions are coming from way higher up in the company and he's basically just forced to go along with it, but at the end of the day that doesn't make it any better.
mystery_biscotti@reddit
Ugh. Copilot?
You have my sympathies and condolences.
saplith@reddit
I've been doing this long enough to see the pattern. I'm learning how to use AI while understanding that it's going to take a few years for everyone to understand that this doesn't replace workers. It can speed them up, but how much is going to be very specific to the organization and the crappier your engineering culture, the less of a speed up it'll be.
I see this as the same as when everyone thought they could outsource to people who make a fraction of what I do. It sucks for early and late career, but it will pass if you can figure out a way to stay in the field.
Th3_Admiral_@reddit
I'm still struggling to make use of it in my day to day work. A lot of my work is maintenance of existing software, and AI still isn't quite up to the task of identifying and fixing random bugs.
My boss loves to talk about how great it is for administrative stuff like writing reports and stuff, but he also has the higher tier of Copilot that can pull info from Outlook and a lot of our internal systems. The version we have as developers is way more limited and he seems to forget that every time he brags about how great it is.
saplith@reddit
Look up human layer's Research plan implement strategy.
The long and short of it is that you keep a bunch of markdown files that you tell the AI to read, so It knows how to do it's job. Then you ask it what it's going to do. You correct it either directly or by giving it more information. Then once you agree with rhe plan you say do it.
I use copilot and it really sucks without this. Once you build up enough markdown files, and agents, I'd say there is a speed increase, but only because it can research your suspicions faster than you can and it types faster than you. There is a lot of battle in the middle and teaching it how your codebase actually works (and always make sure to create a file for anything you have to teach it).
HeavySigh14@reddit
My mom recently mandated that our software engineers incorporate AI into our code. We have a specific number/percent of ai-generated code that needs to be produced, and if you don’t hit it you get dinged on your end of year evaluation
BradBeingProSocial@reddit
Is mom an acronym?
AntcuFaalb@reddit
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodhart%27s_law
AnomalyNexus@reddit
That plus backfill but has to be offshore :/
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
.....did reddit really JUST suspend this? The account looks normal and has a normal history with the sub.
throwaway9gk0k4k569@reddit
My account here was banned recently for commenting on a cartoon. Basically there was cartoon violence going on and I used the word st a n gl e and boom I'm banned for advocating violence. Against an inanimate object in a cartoon.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
ohhh now you're "potentially harassing."
Wasn't this an episode of Star Wars? Andor I think? where the robot comes up and basically throws the main character in jail for basically nothing?
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
Longtime legend? Lol, I build this sub off annoying r/preppers mods from my weekly observation posts, with a doctor 6 years ago, I was ground floor with him. He's busy in the shadows now with life but still lurks. But I've kept this going....somehow, from derailing totally outside our control to Reddit Co. Reddit Co though is obviously steering quite a bit.
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
boogiewithasuitcase@reddit
Odd I can see the original
UND_mtnman@reddit
I can too, but it also does show the account as banned ...
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
*confused mod noises*
I'm too tired for this shit lol.
1nv1sbl@reddit
What did I do wrong ;.;
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
Uhhh, congratulations, the whole mod team to my knowledge is confused at this and has no idea wtf reddit is doing.
Pontiacsentinel@reddit
I can see this post by them.
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
but reddit suspended them?
"A Reddit suspension is a sitewide disciplinary action restricting account activity for violating platform policies, ranging from temporary to permanent. Suspended users cannot post, comment, or send messages, though they may still browse. Appeals can be filed through the official Reddit appeal form."
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
Mods see:
melympia@reddit
Did a modbot get triggerhappy?
Pontiacsentinel@reddit
Makes no sense.
throwawayt44c@reddit
Did you mention anything about our good good friends with the not genocide going on? Or maybe you were a little too hard on throatus?
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
"A Reddit suspension is a sitewide disciplinary action restricting account activity for violating platform policies, ranging from temporary to permanent. Suspended users cannot post, comment, or send messages, though they may still browse. Appeals can be filed through the official Reddit appeal form."
so...... you're obviously here,
Pontiacsentinel@reddit
It shows banned if I click on their profile.
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I have no f'n clue, its a schrodinger's cat.
throwawayt44c@reddit
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
Wait... what.... are you or aren't you suspended? wtf lol
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit (OP)
Guys I've been trying to tell you, Reddit is getting fishy AF suspending and banning things.
Like newer accounts curse once or key words and the system is shadowing it out / removing it
NoTerm3078@reddit
I have a young account age because this happened to me a few months ago. No explanation. I didn't say anything weird. My post history looked similar to what it looks like no. No explanation. No post pointed out. Nothing, woke up to account totally gone. Email said, we deleted your suspicious account. It was a year+ account. No actions taken against it until the ban.
JackBlackBowserSlaps@reddit
Yep, I’ve been banned from most of the major news/politics etc subs just for saying rule-adjacent things.
Ecliphon@reddit
Yes I’ve experienced the AI autobans 3 times now. 2 posts in the Epstein subreddits and the permaban was for mentioning a youtube video about fringe history. The notifications (3 day, then 7 day, then permaban) all said it was a manual decision but the ban happened immediately after commenting. The concurrent bans happened within a day of getting unbanned. On the final perban I appealed saying “This is fucking stupid. Don’t even bother appealing, I’m messaging Wired on Signal” and I was unbanned within hours.
SnooPoems1106@reddit
Thank you for that link. I just went in there and after checking my score liked a handful of posts hoping to spread some good karma for them.
The_Afroduck@reddit
By protection I mean both Asset(stealing) and Device Protection as in controls to mitigate damages from downstream affects.
Capital_Sherbet_6507@reddit
Just before the Iran invasion, we booked a vacay to England on a budget airline for later this month. A week or so ago, the airline cancelled the flight and rebooked us on different dates. I checked their schedule and they've cut from 5-6 flights a week to my city to just one.
I took advantage of the cancellation and got a refund and rebooked on British Airways which is still offering two flights a day on that route. With only one flight a week, I wasn't going to risk flying the other airline. British at least has plenty of backup flights as well as agreements with American Airlines.
Beneficial-Assist849@reddit
I wonder if the TSA issues and/or fuel costs are affecting this
Impossible_Range6953@reddit
Most European airports will struggle this summer if Hormuz stays at a stand still for another month.
Capital_Sherbet_6507@reddit
There is definitely a jet fuel shortage in the UK. They have cancelled a lot of short haul flights within the UK. Fortunately they have a comprehensive train network, so I don't think they will suffer that much,
Solo_Camping_Girl@reddit
Location: Manila, Philippines
Our local grocery and even the nearby 7-11 noticeably didn't have much variety of everyday staples such as oatmeal, powdered coffee, etc. There are, but there's less variety of it. I'm concluding it's due to logistics companies feeling the crunch of higher fuel prices.
Affectionate_Cut1003@reddit
My Sam’s Club had pallets of products in the aisles. It wasn’t just one aisle it was happening in most of them. It was actually hard to walk down the toilet paper aisle.
I asked a worker and she said they are moving things from the top shelves, but she didn’t say why. I’m wondering if they haven’t gotten shipments and they are trying to make the store look more full. I’ll post another picture below.
jednaz@reddit
I just went this morning and walked through what felt like a tunnel of water to get exit.
Each side of the exit aisle from the registers to the arches/receipt check was stacked up with pallets of bottled water. Even the area where curbside pickup orders are housed had pallets of water stacked.
MsCalendarsPlayaArt@reddit
I know we're all being serious here (and this is great intel, btw- thank you!) I just really need to say that the Tunnel Of Water art installation sounds fun af.
jednaz@reddit
Given that the water went up well over my line of sight (and I am tall), all Sam's needs to do is add some techno music and a light display off the plastic water case overwrap (akin to those holiday light displays that flash on houses or perhaps an old-fashioned aluminum tree color wheel) and the experience would be complete!
Affectionate_Cut1003@reddit
😂😂
happy_appy31@reddit
Just got back from my local grocery store and the water section was empty. Like when they are calling for a hurricane or snow storm type empty. Peanut butter and jelly section was empty as well.
Affectionate_Cut1003@reddit
jednaz@reddit
This is fairly normal at my warehouse, especially when I go in first thing in the morning.
TeaPuzzleheaded4745@reddit
My thought is that maybe they are expecting runs on things and so they're making it all more accessible to shoppers so they don't have to try & get things off the high shelves in the middle of the rush?
Present-Opinion1561@reddit
Walmart corp. data analytics is crazy good at prediction.
AgeMysterious123@reddit
Interviewed a guy that worked there in data science and it was fascinating.
TeaPuzzleheaded4745@reddit
That's what I was thinking, that this extra work is considered worthwhile for some reason they are probably keyed into accurately.
Affectionate_Cut1003@reddit
Interesting. I have never seen anything like this. I usually go to Costco, but I was given a Sam’s membership recently.
Chokemotive@reddit
List of critical materials China refuses to ship to the US is growing. Prices for particular critical materials are at all time highs, with some businesses scrambling because budgets were not allocated for this type of consistent high price.
All the while, there remain either none, or very few US based companies that can even process the materials.
Additionally, even if processing power in the US did ramp up, deposits of ore of which these materials are processed from are geologically only found in China & Russia thus compounding the problem further.
MsCalendarsPlayaArt@reddit
Are you able to tell us which industry?
arb1698@reddit
This is going to hurt
bwaters1894@reddit
I teach at the college level in the south. I have 15 students in my class. I asked them why the gas prices are going up. Not one could tell me. They knew we attacked Iran, but had no idea that’s why gas was going up.
DisastrousHyena3534@reddit
cries in fellow southern college instructor
They can’t answer anything without running it through AI first.
mystery_biscotti@reddit
Okay, but why?
As a young Gen X dork, I was able to say and do stupid stuff all the time. Few folks I knew had camcorders. No one I knew had a smartphone until the early 2000s. I keep wondering if it's ostracism/bullying culture stemming from the social media-forward culture. RLHF for humans where social differences like "being wrong" meant social "death". Is that it, or is there something else going on I'm not seeing since I dropped out this last Fall quarter?
DisastrousHyena3534@reddit
Young Gen X/ Gen Xennial here.
It’s not social stigma. It’s seeing learning as a burden & not wanting to work. It’s lack of critical thinking and laziness and shortened attention spans. It’s a model of higher learning as consumer culture and the customer is always right, so student should get an A if they pay tuition.
To be clear, this would have been a problem in our generation too, if we’d had it. I’m not doing a “kids these days” thing. Just as many of us X’ers would have thought our teacher was full of shit and turned in slop just to get it over with.
notjustsome-all@reddit
I’m sure I would have used AI to write my humanities class papers back in the day (late 90s). People cut corners back then too. I recall there were ads in our college newspaper offering paper writing help. Basically they would give you a rough draft of a paper for like $10 per page. I never did that, thought it was too expensive, but I probably would have gotten better grades with the help.
Kids usually view it through the lens of ‘when are we going to use this skill’, and ‘what’s in it for me’. There is always new technology. My math professors were old enough to have grown up without pocket calculators.
SquirrelyMcNutz@reddit
Totally would've done it too for the classes not in my major. The classes that I was required to take to 'be well rounded' when in actuality, it was just another method for the school to siphon more tuition dollars. I didn't care about tennis or early American literature. I literally only took those classes because I had to, not because I wanted anything they taught.
mystery_biscotti@reddit
Wow. I didn't mean to give the impression I thought you were "kids these days"-ing. Sorry about that impression, truly. 🙏 It was not meant that way on my end.
It's been something that's seriously baffled me. I mean, I use AI because I'm learning it--that's where the money's at these days, infra/ops especially if you're my age and have no Bachelor's degree. But the "why is that" has been harder for me to pin down.
The lack of critical thinking in one of my son's friends always startles me, but he IS the youngest of their group. It makes sense now. If they see thinking as optional...yikes.
DisastrousHyena3534@reddit
No you were totally fine! I just read it over before I posted & I sounded rather “get off my lawn.”
bwaters1894@reddit
K-12 does not teach them to think. They have zero critical thinking skills. The social media addiction doesn’t help. It seems to me that they will not go looking for knowledge or information. They want it spoon fed to them by an algorithm. I spend about 15 minutes of each class teaching them how to critically analyze current events. I’m not sure it’s working.
DisastrousHyena3534@reddit
It’s also K-12 grinding them through a testing mill so they really are never taught to think critically and are very uncomfortable when they cannot immediately fall into the exact right correct answer.
DisastrousHyena3534@reddit
Although I do think even Gen X in our dumb 20’s would not have been so willing to blindly accept whatever the algorithm fed us.
SpacemanLost@reddit
I saw a video in my feed this morning titled that professors were using Oral Exams as a response to students using AI. I am ALL for that and a return to emphasizing critical thinking.
Background-King9787@reddit
Yep! I’ve heard about an increase in in class handwritten assignments too. I think cutting the computers out is a great step. Gets around having to use admin mandated software to detect cheating too
bwaters1894@reddit
I’m ready to start. The problem is the failure rate. I suspect only around 10% of my students would pass if I did this. College administrators do not care about education. They care about butts in seats (our income).
AirborneGeek@reddit
I would say "yikes", but I guess I'm not that surprised. I have adult friends who have no idea about anything going on that isn't within ten feet of them, let alone global scale cause-and-effect.
jakenuts-@reddit
There was a tiktok/youtube video explaining how oil moves over the oceans at the speed of you on a bike that really nailed home the idea and why we haven't yet seen the full impact of the straight closure.
Every country has different delivery dates for their bike riding "oil on the water" tankers, and all had been living off oil that started out long before the closure, our (us) last ship was due to arrive around the 15th.
Ignorance_Is_Boring@reddit
Implementation of fuel surcharge on all invoices. First for my company in 60+ years.
CannyGardener@reddit
OK so funny story. I've been in my industry running operations for \~20 years. I was around when a lot of our distribution contracts were written, and sitting at the table the usual thing to say about FSC was that "they are just worthless, and make people mad, unless something catastrophic happens and we end up with $5.00 diesel lets just not deal with them." But looking at the situation, we are at $5 without breaking a sweat...like at the beginning of this whole debacle, with a ton of runway left for it to gain speed here yet. Crazy to sit here having been at the table for those things, and then now when those things actually implement. I mean some of our contracts have force majour at like $7, and I think we might hit that before this is over.
Zealousideal_Dust_25@reddit
Work in an affluent area of new england, one where when the economy is trash, these people still have money to spend on their boats.
Hardware/paint business - we are down about 20% on the year so far, even though our prices have been going up.
So we have been selling less, at a higher cost.
It's been slower than I have seen it with covid.
Lady-Blood-Raven@reddit
Uber driver told me he’s hearing from Coachella patrons that they are being priced out. Harder to pay for their weekend even with budgeting.
AnomalyNexus@reddit
Last year 60% of Coachella tickets were bought on buy now pay later.. Actually not just on buy now pay later...but on that specific platform suggestion actual total is higher.
That house of cards is absolutely gonna come down
SpacemanLost@reddit
Things are holding up ok at my work. People at a govt agency we deal with are getting paid again, and thus more inclined to approve payments to us. Cross pacific shipping costs may impact us though. Also, a couple of our people do a LOT of travel, including international, so I'm wondering if airfare costs are going to impact equipment and office budgets.
At other tech companies in the area, the news continues to suck: The 30,000 layoffs at Oracle include about 500 people locally. I've seen articles putting US tech layoffs in Q1 2026 at over 50,000 already.
Back to the game industry - 2 weeks ago, I mentioned that Epic (Unreal Engine/Fortnight) laid off ~1000. Since then I've heard of layoffs at Dark Outlaw Games, Rec Room, Sony PlayStation, Reality Labs (meta, 700 people), Ivy Road, Eidos Montreal, Polyarc Games, Coffee Stain (mobile team), Shrapnel game, Pixelberry, Take-Two Interactive (AI team) and Piranha Games. Oh, and Gunzilla games is missing payroll. -whew- I got tired just listing those off. To quote Vanilla Ice: "Will it ever stop? Yo, I don't know"
I make it a point to regularly call up a couple friends of mine who have been laid off and haven't found anything yet just to take their mind off of their situations for a while. The mental health impact on them and their families is real.
HeavySigh14@reddit
My company got notice of this and our higher ups are FREAKING out. Our teams are working on overdrive to patch things
SpacemanLost@reddit
Most people outside of software development have NO idea that so much modern software is made by pulling together a bunch of pre-built parts (some of which are incredibly trivial, like the software equivalent of a paperclip) that they found somewhere on the internet, or that those pre-built parts often are full of other pre-built parts, and so on all the way down.
That presents a rather large 'supply chain' to keep from being infiltrated by bad actors.
Add to that the fact that most of that software is in a state of "continuous development" and are rebuilt from scratch daily, if not multiple times a day, which often includes re-downloading those pre-built parts every time to get any updates or security fixes.
The_Afroduck@reddit
Large utility in Texas: Starting to see major shipment delays and backorders on key infrastructure components. Management changing tune on having back stock of key transformers and substation equipment. Previous months uppers wanted low stock numbers to keep overhead down. Starting to see more "protection" implemented in both yard and IT related functions.
Grid still held together by bailing wire and 1960s gear, and will continue to hold for the time being.
SpacemanLost@reddit
By "protection" do you mean there is increased risk of theft of those components?
arb1698@reddit
Nah, it's increased due to Iran threats and much if it is being subsidized at taxpayers expense. Source live in Texas and Texas cares only for it companies and not it's people.
forbiddenfreedom@reddit
University of Michigan Med is no longer accepting the medical insurance the University provides to their staff. (BCN).
arb1698@reddit
I believe there negotiations going right now same thing happens I. Texas with Texas health 6 months ago.
Starlight_Alchemy@reddit
Central Illinois Aldi grocery store was the emptiest it's felt since COVID. We have three Aldi's and my friends that shop at the others experienced the same. Lots of empty shelves. I've never not bought my usual bag or frozen blueberries or broccoli before.
Not sure if it's because people are stocking up or supply chain issues.
Bulky-Captain-3508@reddit
Here is a very good overview of the current state of produce in the US. It was posted here earlier this week.
https://www.reddit.com/r/PrepperIntel/s/on0bsaAweZ
wistful_cottage_core@reddit
Thanks for sharing!
Bulky-Captain-3508@reddit
I found it helpful, and it's prompting a pantry run this weekend...
To parallel this, a number of local food banks or meals on wheels programs and suspending service due to lack of food. I think they operate by purchasing surplus at a discount, but there is no surplus available. Suppliers with contracts are also receiving modified orders due to lack of inventory. This is supposed to extend through at least the end of May. We are gardening heavier than usual this year because of it, and recommending friends/family do the same.
wp998906@reddit
Education is suffering again, lower enrollment numbers and state special ed reimbursement. Along with reductions in title 1 funding; several districts are going to referendum, with warnings of closing schools or the district as a whole.
MindFluffy5906@reddit
Where are you located? State?
wp998906@reddit
WI, but were seing similar issues in MN and IA.
MindFluffy5906@reddit
In Norcal, seeing districts not wanting to bargain in good faith with the unions, hard to get supplies and teachers are paying for things for their classrooms.out of pocket more. People want to leave teaching, but feel stuck because of the economy. I personally know more than 5 that want out now, but will wait a bit longer for things to hopefully turn around in the economy because they have tenure and don't want to give up the security.
theteg@reddit
Large healthcare org, not backfilling spots and currently on a pause for a lot of IT level purchasing due to price jumps
AZcrafter67@reddit
Own a business and had to layoff four employees. Last year we went down 30% in sales and it’s another 30% in the first quarter of this year. The economy in the US is not good. We had 25 employees last year and now have 17 after layoffs and people leaving. Government is not letting us know the real state of the economy.
StoriesandStones@reddit
I work in retail, outlet store.
Some shipments have been cancelled. While we normally have 90% brand name current items and 10% old stock discounted items, we are now receiving tons more old stock items that have been sitting in warehouses stateside. Our store is currently 50/50 on old stock vs. current.
Pontiacsentinel@reddit
Maybe Spring break/less college traffic?
profanearcane@reddit
Work is slowing down, but it may just be that we switched contracts recently. Working in avionics.
am19208@reddit
My industry is usually pretty insulated from economic slow downs but I have seen massive reduction in job postings or those that are up still are 10-20% lower pay than 3 months ago.
1984isnoww@reddit
Many Apache’s being loaded into C5 for vacation.
GnomeChodeski@reddit
Operation: Epstein Fury in full-swing! 🫡
Ok-Original-6873@reddit
Epstein Fubar
Tank_Girl_Gritty_235@reddit
Strippers around Fort Bragg are reporting a boon in profits and lots of loose lips
JackBlackBowserSlaps@reddit
Really struggling not to make a joke right now 🤐
angrytetchy@reddit
Might want to point them to r/StripperIntel
froses@reddit
I’ve heard there is now a hiring freeze at my large defense contractor company. They’ve cited lower air travel and oil price uncertainties as the reasons. This comes off of 2 years in a row of explosive growth and huge earnings hits.
Patient_Ad1801@reddit
Large healthcare org deleted some open positions and moved people around to others to avoid full on layoffs. Business seems slow at local stores and restaurants.
AnomalyNexus@reddit
Loads of sundry small +10%ish increases on a variety of things. Thats bound to cause an inflation uptick.
And worried about jet fuel. One of the advantages of being in Europe was that a weekend getaway to a completely different country and culture was viable. Norway for 30 bucks etc. Very much a leisure worry rather than survival but still not happy about direction of travel there
JackBlackBowserSlaps@reddit
That’s so gross. And people think North America is bad for the cars…
pastasandwiches@reddit
The last couple of times that I've shopped at the grocery store I've had a hard time finding bags in the produce aisle. This last visit there were plenty of bags, but they were now a different type, they were the biodegradable green-tinted type. I'm guessing plastic produce bags have jumped in price along with oil's price.
AmaranthusSky@reddit
If that continues, consider getting reusable ones. I like mesh bags because I can wash produce in the bag then hang dry. Or reusing the ones you get a few times.
Fnnybrd@reddit
🙄
OptimisticDoomCat@reddit
Local coop forwarded their supplier email stating supply disruptions of fresh produce due to FL sync Mexico supply disruptions - not likely to see that return to normal till mid May.
Friends traveling in Asia telling me about fuel shortage and flight cancellations. Supply chain shock on import goods likely.
Any_Needleworker_273@reddit
Just looking at adding to my next seed order from a Maine supplier, and almost all of their raspberry and strawberry plants are sold out (which is odd, even for this time of year - I would expect a few varieties to be sold out, but not most) as well as a couple noted as "crop failure, out of stock to all orders" - I also noticed a lot of their dried bean seeds were sold out.
50million@reddit
Oct-Feb lay offs. RTO for permanent remote workers. New bonus and raise schedule/process. No more automatic raises if you moved up - you have a trial period for 6 months. But you get more stocks. However they take a while to vest and they're heavily taxed.
Any_Needleworker_273@reddit
I work for a major state university in a staff position. FT positions are being backfilled when vacant with PT contracts rather than salaried/benefits positions (or not filled at all), as well as discussions around any other ways to cut costs. I anticipate more budget cuts on the horizon, along what we saw during COVID.
Sad_Money_8595@reddit
After last year’s utter chaos in my field, purging of employees thru RIFs and buyouts, they’re now moving into the next stage to get people to quit… forced relocations. Folks are just speedballing the destruction of the economy.
VariousFalcon7466@reddit
At least two major hospital systems(probably all of the other ones too) in my area have told employees they need to start watching their electricity usage at work. No lights on in unused rooms, making sure patients TVs are off when they’re asleep, etc.
AnomalyNexus@reddit
What’s the concern they’re trying to address with that? Is the hospital running on generators only?
VariousFalcon7466@reddit
Cost. We basically only have one power company here so they just do whatever they want with rates.
nelrond18@reddit
I'm on the west Coast, Canada. Our restaurant is apparently one of the top restaurants in online booking apps, but it seems we're still struggling. Big events are happening this summer and we can't get the labour to meet the demand.
I'm very curious how other restaurants are doing, which I don't think is well. If not for a lack of customers, than a lack of labour because all the job postings I see are frequently under paying.
Any_Needleworker_273@reddit
Anecdotal, but a friend mentioned a decently popular restaurant in her VT town having to close for a week and then reduce hours because they couldn't find enough help.
Margotkitty@reddit
If you pay them, they will come. This TFW debacle is corporations lobbying government to bring in workers they can exploit for low pay.
nelrond18@reddit
My employer pays one of the best wages and benefits packages I've seen in the region. Been losing a lot of skilled workers due to Cook no longer being considered a skilled trade by immigration. Menus have to simplify considerably during the tourist seasons.
We're gonna see a lot of complaints about time for food to arrive at the table, and likely price shock as Sysco and GFS are likely raising prices pretty substantially.
This summer is gonna be a mess.
No_Branch_5083@reddit
Operating costs are increasing due to the Iran war and oil prices. Forestry is a marginal industry at best, and all the machinery involved in harvesting and transporting timber runs on diesel. I'm expecting buyers to be revising quotes later this year, and for some projects not to go ahead.
I also anticipate that materials like plastic tree planting guards will also increase in cost rapidly, but this might push us towards a wider adoption of biodegradable alternatives.
West Midlands, UK
angrytetchy@reddit
Observations from Merrie Monarch week (big hula festival, held once a year the week after Easter):
Will report back with observations from Costco runs, and post-Merrie Monarch week (as is "normal") business.
1nv1sbl@reddit
The therapist in the family has reported a marked increase in clients. People are VERY stressed out.
Gas around town has jumped from $3.49 to $5.99 as of a few days ago.
Lower midwest, USA.