I encourage the author to spend an afternoon and evening in Palo Alto as well as in SF and SJ downtown. Please tell us afterwards where you and your family would rather live.
Currently trying to buy a Corolla Hybrid (base). The best out-the-door quote I got so far is $28.5k, the MSRP is $23k. So yes, you are looking at almost $30k for the most basic car.
Imho MSFT overestimates the loyalty of video game fans to a game franchise vs a console ecosystem. Even if the deal should go through and even if it should result in - let's say - CoD being exclusive to Xbox, I don't think a lot of fans would then switch away from Playstation just for that.
After the debacle with having only touch "buttons" in the Mk8 GTI, it is refreshing to see that they are back to haptic buttons in the center console and steering wheel.
To each their own and I respect your approach. For me personally, trying to find a (life) partner by presenting some false facts in the very first sentence they read about me feels not exactly right.
Just like the gun debate in the US, the speed limit debate in Germany has at its core nothing to do with rational arguments. It is about perceived restriction, limiting personal freedom, and potentially taking away a right people are used to.