Broken

I've worked the video game industry and I'll point out a few things.

Trump was president before, and imposed this tariff before. Console and peripheral prices did not go up. There were specific meetings discussing this, and nobody raised prices.

Not that it necessarily will be the same thing this time around, but look at the current prices of things like PS+ and the PS Pro - before tariff increases - and realize if they want to increase prices on you they just will. They aren't looking for an excuse.

Additiinally, the amount of shenanigans that transpires with the video game industry is crazy. The amount of PS4 consoles sold in Canada would mean every single household would have 3.5 consoles in it. Spoiler, they don't, all the consoles were sold into the US at cheaper prices because of the dollar conversion rate. They Gray market is the step child nobody wants to talk about, but they love the added sales numbers. It will continue to exist and balance out the market.

The best move for management in this situation is to "promote" him, into a new role that segregates him from the rest of the team. No office space work in the basement thing, but something that makes him distinctly a different role/title, and physically gives him a small office down the hall.

It doesn't sound like much, but any physical distance will be nice for you and others like you. It also removes depression when you know he's the same role but not held to the same standards. Eventually all that crap takes its toll, and good people quit...or worse, they stop caring and don't quit.

The saying one bad apple can ruin the bunch is very true in work situations.

There was a woman who was a retail store manager who just upped and left for the Congo. (Yes, really) Corporate didn't fire her for a year. (Yes, really)

This sounds like something I would do. So don't be too scared of losing it, there are others like you out there that would carry on just like you.

I must say though, the romantic in me sees this as a movie or book. Story of your life's struggles and ups and downs, but the wallet keeps you grounded. You finally make it to visit his grave and a woman walks up, daughter of Arnold. Ends up being the love of your life.

This concept is very understated. We need more options.

The original zune. The one that could compress all the music of the universe to fit on it's 30GB drive.

I still have mine in a drawer. I replaced the battery (which is probably dead again) and it lived through my entire family using it.

It'll start as a feature. When you need gas we'll automatically show you the cheapest gas stations around you. People will gobble it up.

My hybrid dash is anything but minimal. I have a zillion selections to show me a slew of random things. None of them are an engine temperature reading. So frustrating.

Print out and laminate this entire post.

Plus references that it leads to the answer to the super secret nobody would believe, and untraceable riches to boot.

I agree that there is survivorship bias, but I disagree that its "just" that.

Things are made cheaper today, regardless. There are $400 toasters, but I guarantee that one wouldn't last as long as a 1950s toaster.

Plumbing fixtures are a better example, as essentially you can't find one that is equivalent of a 50 year old faucet, no matter the price. They just don't make them like that.

Electronic components are another factor. First off, we stopped using lead in solder which results in weaker, more brittle connections. They just don't last as long. True, we have advancements that make components run hotter in certain scenarios (so those connections get more stress) but even disregarding that the fact still stands it's not as good.

Then we added those electronics into everything to make them "better". Old washing machines were essentially all mechanical so they would run forever, and be easy to maintain or fix. Now they have computers running them that are designed to not be fixed.

Its hard to find a company today that wants to make a good product. They just want to make one that is good enough. Our culture has shifted to that mindset. Things don't last as long, so we switched to a disposable mindset.

I remember when the EGAs came about. Damn, it was like stepping into the future. But I didn't have a color monitor so it didn't matter. I was probably more envious than your friend.