The DRAM Cartel | Price Fixing, Anti-Consumer Collusion, & Corporate Conspiracy

The podcast investigates the history of DRAM price-fixing cartels, focusing on the period between 1998 and 2002, and draws parallels to contemporary market dynamics. It argues that despite government intervention and fines, the memory industry remains susceptible to collusion due to market consolidation and a culture of prioritizing profit over competition. The discussion covers the evolution of memory technology, from hand-woven core memory to multi-billion dollar fabrication plants, and highlights key events such as the US-Japan trade war and the subsequent rise of South Korean manufacturers. The podcast also points out that executives involved in past price-fixing schemes have often been promoted, suggesting a lack of accountability. It concludes that the current market, dominated by a few major players, facilitates a form of "cooperative competition" that ultimately harms consumers.