30 | TSMC Deep Dive with Asianometry

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My guest today is Jon from Asianometry (@asianometry), creator of the hugely popular Asianometry YouTube channel where he posts video essays on business, technology, and history within Asia.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today’s conversation is all about TSMC. We go deep into the chip development process from start to finish, the fabs they’re constructed in, TSMC's business model, the competitive landscape, and what the future may hold.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I hope you enjoy my conversation with Jon from Asianometry on TSMC.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(For reference, this episode was recorded January 25, 2021)</span></em></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page on </span> <a href= "https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep30"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">https://compoundingpodcast.com/ep30</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">------</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Show Notes:</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:00:31] - [First question] - Some background on TSMC</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:03:44] - The chip development process</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:05:36] - The science behind it</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:08:52] - What do the fabs look like?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:11:19] - Why do fabs need so much water?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:13:26] - Why are fabs getting bigger?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:14:46] - Apple and TSMC’s relationship</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:16:24] - ASML and TSMC’s relationship</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:20:41] - CAPEX, Competition and a potential glut?</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:24:47] - Taiwan and TSMC’