Posts for: #2023

Where’d All the Parts Go? Makers vs the Modern Supply Chain

“There was a time you could build a whole synth from a parts bin at Halted. Now I need a VPN just to find an ATmega chip that isn’t counterfeit.”
— Wing


🧰 Building in 2023: Less Maker, More Forager

Remember when you could order a dev board from SparkFun, slap in a few passives from Digi-Key, and have your blinking prototype up by the weekend?

Now it’s:

  • “Backordered until Q4.”
  • “MOQ: 3,000 units.”
  • “This product is discontinued due to global constraints.”

And half the eBay listings look like someone printed a screenshot of a datasheet and sold it as a module.

[]

Anime Expo: From 1994 Fireworks to 2023 Corporate Cosplay

“Back in 1994, AX smelled like VHS tapes, stale carpet, and freedom. In 2023? It smells like LED panels, QR codes, and brand deals.”
— Wing


🎆 July 4th at Anime Expo: Then vs Now

For a certain breed of fan, July 4th doesn’t mean fireworks.
It means AX. Anime Expo.
A pilgrimage to SoCal for sweat, panels, prints, and people who get it.

But AX 2023 is a far cry from AX 1994.
The soul’s still there… if you know where to look.

[]