For decades, memory stocks like Micron were classic cyclicals, trapped in vicious boom-bust loops fueled by fleeting PC/smartphone demand. Oversupply killed margins fast, and rallies always faded. That's changing permanently. The Structural Shift No One Saw Coming AI data centers have flipped the script on memory demand: • HBM is now the critical bottleneck for AI GPUs—essential, not optional • Only three companies can supply at scale: Micron, SK Hynix, Samsung • Hyperscalers are locking in multi-year contracts, killing spot-market volatility • Capacity additions are measured and deliberate—lessons learned from past pain This is why Micron can hit new all-time highs around $319 in early 2026 (up ~10% in a single session Jan 2) after an explosive 2025, instead of crashing like old cycl