Markets move fast—sometimes too fast. This week, Jessica , Dave , Sam , and Brit dissect Trump’s crypto reserve play, Nvidia’s AI stumbles, and how nostalgia is sneaking back into everything. Recorded amidst ski trips, surf plans, and a billboard that’s trolling AI hype, the crew unpacks it all. Also on deck: • Core Weave’s $1.7B AI cloud grab signals robotics is the new VC darling • Reports of Discord going public? Plus, Jessica’s surf weekend drama, Sam’s “Trump Make Poor” bit, and a hot take ...
Mar 07, 2025•53 min•Ep 89•Transcript available on Metacast What happens when the biggest VCs, LPs, and founders cram into one basketball stadium? Deals get made, gossip flies, and Dave and Brit Morin find themselves in a very questionable hotel situation. Reporting live from LA, they break down everything happening at Upfront Summit—or at least, everything they overheard by the coffee station. On deck this episode: • is Bezos finally embracing his role as a media mogul? • Meta’s $200B spend vs. Grok’s lightning-fast scale • what really went down in Sili...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr•Ep 88•Transcript available on Metacast Elon Musk trolled Jessica on X—at least, that’s how it seems. Was it just a marketing stunt for Grok 3, with The Information as the sacrificial lamb? Plus, Humane’s AI pin flopped, but HP swooped in for a $160M “rescue.” What does this mean for the AI hardware race? Sam has some strong opinions (spoiler: he’s not a fan of AI printers). And the internet’s latest rabbit hole: Could Jack Dorsey actually be Satoshi? Social media is unraveling, AI is becoming hyper-personalized (maybe too much so), a...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep 87•Transcript available on Metacast Elon Musk just threw OpenAI into chaos with a $97 billion bid for its nonprofit arm. But does he actually want it—or is it just for the memes? Meanwhile, Slow Ventures has secured $60M to bet on the future of creators, and Brit and Jessica predict the rise of serial influencers. Oh, and Google Maps is broken. Seriously. All that and more in Episode #86 of More or Less. We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.com/moreorless Spotify: https://podcasters.spo...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep 86•Transcript available on Metacast Sam and Dave had been toying with the idea of making $$ from meme mania, but after last week’s pod, they may have taken it a little too seriously. They launched Jelly-My-Jelly ($JELLYJELLY), a meme coin that shot up to $250M—thanks, in part, to Venmo co-founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail. What happened next? Tune in to Episode #85 to find out. We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.com/moreorless Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod C...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep 85•Transcript available on Metacast DeepSeek—a name no one had even heard of until last week—has since given Big Tech a run for its money. Soon after the news, they torched $1 trillion from Nvidia and other giants' market caps. And while AI researchers call it “distillation,” aren’t LLMs recursive by design? Everyone’s distilling someone else’s work. The real question: Did DeepSeek actually crack efficient training? Or just drop the right meme at the right time? We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: h...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep 84•Transcript available on Metacast Stargate—a $500 billion AI venture straight from Trump 2.0's White House—has all the drama of a sci-fi blockbuster. But instead of aliens (like in the movie from 30 years ago), we’ve got Elon Musk, Satya Nadella, and Sam Altman trading shots. “SoftBank doesn’t have the money,” Elon posted on X, while Microsoft’s Nadella shot back, “I’m good for my $80 billion.” Meanwhile, Altman’s keeping things spicy with OpenAI already breaking ground. Also on the docket: • $TRUMP token, • the inauguration at ...
Jan 24, 2025•52 min•Ep 83•Transcript available on Metacast On this week’s episode of More or Less, Meta kills DEI and fact-checking (right after their $27B moderation exit), Zuck's talking "masculine energy" on Rogan, and TikTok's facing a ban while DJI mysteriously drops US flight restrictions. It's not even February. We also share opinions on: • why tech's gender gap persists (18% of CS grads are women) • whether Elon's X could inherit TikTok's distribution • what NYC's congestion tax reveals about tech's bubb...
Jan 17, 2025•54 min•Ep 82•Transcript available on Metacast Meta is ditching fact-checkers, Nvidia hitting $3T, and everyone is building robots for some reason. Episode # 81 of More or Less kicks off 2025 by asking: • How much of Zuck's community notes pivot is political theater? • Can NVIDIA actually pull off this "mega omniverse" industrial AI play? • Will companies thrive as the great tech exodus accelerates? Plus: Sam explains why centralized moderation was always destined to fail (backed by that wild 30% spike in misinfo post-fact-checking), Dave re...
Jan 10, 2025•49 min•Ep 81•Transcript available on Metacast Time for Part 2 of our More or Less highlights special! We've curated some clips to check off our tech bingo card for 2024. This past year gave us Trump swapping press rooms for podcasts, the DOJ taking swings at Big Tech, BlackRock's Bitcoin ETF hitting record highs ($50B AUM) and—because why not—a government department named after DOGE, a not so subtle nod to Trump's pro-crypto stance. What's in store for 2025? We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.c...
Jan 04, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep 80•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to Part 1 of the More or Less highlights special! We’re taking a look back at an action-packed year in AI, from groundbreaking developments to game-changing predictions about the future. Don’t miss this collection of standout moments and stay tuned for Part 2! We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.com/moreorless Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod Connect with us here: 1) Brit Morin: https://x.com/brit 2) D...
Dec 27, 2024•2 hr 41 min•Ep 79•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, the Morins & Lessins dive into the highs and lows of 2024 to uncover who came out on top. Google made a strong showing, but are they well-positioned for the long haul? Waymo keeps moving the needle with self-driving cars and big moves in AI, making it a strong contender for years to come. Apple? They’ve been a bit slow to innovate this year, but don’t count them out just yet. Meta really hit their stride in 2024, proving the naysayers wrong. AI? Check. Hardware? Check. Will ...
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 78•Transcript available on Metacast How will OpenAI's latest video technology affect the creator ecosystem? Could this new tech pave the way for a new type of entertainment? Also in this episode ↓ - Does Google have a lead in the AI race? - Should digital trade play a larger role in policy discussions? - The End of the Eras Tour and Sam's Pink Pilates Princess Strut Pop Season We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.com/moreorless Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorless...
Dec 13, 2024•56 min•Ep 77•Transcript available on Metacast What’s it like being the CEO of Box and a full-time internet meme lord? Well… ask Aaron Levie. In this episode, he joins Jess, Dave, and Sam to answer: • what it’s like being a “toxic Bitcoin maxi” as the price soars past $100k • more or less M&A for MAANG • how far we are from AGI We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.com/moreorless Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod Connect with us here: 1) Aaron Levie: https://x.com/l...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 76•Transcript available on Metacast The artist vs. tech bros—classic tension or chaos ahead? In EP 75, Brit, Dave, and Jess are joined by Matt Vascellaro as they dive into: • Sora's leak and the fiery backlash from Hollywood • The uneasy marriage of AI and art, and why the "right" UI still feels like chasing rainbows • And, of course, the rise (and roast) of the Bay Area tech bro We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.com/moreorless Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorl...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 75•Transcript available on Metacast Meet Adrian Aoun —an OG listener and one of Alphabet’s best-kept secrets. He recently wound down Forward, his company that set out to reinvent the doctor’s office with AI. He joins Brit , Dave , and Jess in this episode to explore the exit, Adrian’s hardware + software play with CarePods, and what it means to create a generational company for healthcare. Also on the agenda: • is primary care venture-scalable? • are Elon & Trump BFFs?? • Optimus for the military??? We’re also on ↓ X: https://...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 74•Transcript available on Metacast With Musk’s bio now updated to read, “The people voted for major government reform,” it’s clear he’s not just dabbling in policy. In this episode, the Morins and Lessins break down what it means for democracy when a “super VC” like Musk mingles tech interests with government influence. Also on the docket: - will Bitcoin surge to $100K? - monetization for LLMs, and - the new wave of Silicon Valley internships in government We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://in...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 73•Transcript available on Metacast Are incumbent media networks losing ground? Kamala stuck to broadcast media, while Trump bypassed traditional filters and reached audiences as an influencer, taking his message to Rogan and Fridman. Among concerns over echo chambers and AI-controlled narratives, there’s a flip side—more people now have a platform, giving everyone a voice. Guillermo Rauch of Vercel says “everyone needs to be empowered to create.” The more people who can build their own platforms and apps, the more we decentralize...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 72•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, the crew dives into why no self-respecting Silicon Valley developer is ditching AI tools anytime soon. Sam and Jess go back and forth on Snap’s subscription model and whether it can stand up to Meta’s dominance. Plus, Bezos seems wary of a potential Trump comeback. We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.com/moreorless Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod Connect with us here: 1) Brit Morin: https://x.com/brit 2...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 71•Transcript available on Metacast Apple’s Vision Pro has had its fair share of challenges. Initially aiming for 3 million units, the forecast adjusted down to 900,000, then 800,000, and ultimately? Just 450,000 sold. For a $3,500 device, that's a tough spot to be in. Going from developer kit to flagship in a hurry? Classic Apple. In this episode, the Morins and Lessins talk about: - Apple vs Meta on AR - AI & mental health, and - journalistic integrity in tech reporting We’re also on ↓ X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod In...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast Elon’s robots are real... kind of? On this episode of More or Less, we take a deep dive into the duality of Tesla. Are we witnessing the future or yet another Disney ride? Tune in as Brit, Dave, Sam, and Jess unpack: • Tesla’s We, Robot event • Why the retail army craves Planet Elon • Waymo & the future of robovehicles • Late-stage capitalism We’re also on ↓ X: https://x.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.com/moreorless Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlessp...
Oct 18, 2024•55 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast Google’s enjoyed a monopoly-sized head start for a while. But it now looks like the DOJ’s ready to throw a wrench in its works. Is a breakup of the search giant on the cards? In EP 068 of the pod, Brit, Dave, and Jess talk all things: - antitrust and Google, - screen time and parental control, and - why leveraging AI for consumer apps might still be a pipe dream. We’re also on ↓ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MoreorLessPodv X: https://twitter.com/moreorlesspod Instagram: https://instagram.com...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast OpenAI Sets a Record and Will Apple Make Its Next Move? 00:00 - Introduction and The @VCBrags Twitter Account 04:48 - The Sam and Dave Contest 07:15 - OpenAI's Record-Breaking Funding Round 13:04 - OpenAI's Product Strategy Shift 18:05 - The Future of A.I. and Consumer Experiences 19:28 - Apple's Potential in the A.I. Space 26:23 - The Impact of A.I. on Software Development 33:55 - Dave's Three A.I. Buckets: Fast, Slow, and Edge Models 35:54 - Insane Evaluations and VC Funds 39:24 - How Japan's ...
Oct 04, 2024•50 min•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast Meta Connect, the Hardware Renaissance (or Not?) and Special Guest Dan Feder
Sep 27, 2024•55 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast Plus, China, the supply chain and Sam climbs a mountain. MrBeast Strategy Doc: https://cybernews.com/news/mrbeast-leaked-pdf-spills-secrets-how-to-be-successful-on-youtube/ 0:00 - Introduction and Debriefing Sam's Mountain Climbing Trip 5:50 - Instagram's New Teen Controls 10:20 - The Role of Tech Companies in Child Safety 12:34 - YouTube's New Hype Feature 13:30 - MrBeast's Leaked Strategy Doc 15:00 - Parental Controls 22:10 - Are YouTube Hypes just Tips? 27:45 - Amazon and The ...
Sep 20, 2024•50 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast Plus, is MrBeast the new BuzzFeed? And the latest with Stripe. Sam's MrBeast is Buzzfeed 2.0: https://x.com/lessin/status/1833545048543375856?s=46 00:00 - Introduction and A Mystery 02:54 - An Honest Review of The Mill 04:46 - The Happenings and Headlines 05:16 - Reflections on The Acquired Podcast Live with Mark Zuckerburg 14:41 - A Critique of the Live Podcast Format 16:43 - Reflections on The Apple Launch Event 22:13 - New Markets for Apple to Break Into: CPAPs and Parental Controls 27:59...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast The right—and wrong—lessons about tech's favorite new topic. Plus, a new type of parental warning. Show Notes: 00:00 - Introduction and Labor Day Tennis 02:00 - Pickleball 03:00 - Founder Mode 05:00 - Organizational Structures 12:00 - Founder Mode from a VC Perspective 15:00 - Galaxy Brain vs. 100 Nodes 18:00 - Uber vs. AirBNB 22:00 - Optimizers vs. Builders 25:00 - The Parent Analogy 26:00 - Different Types of Founders 30:00 - VC-backed Company Incentives 33:00 - Long-Term Trajectory of Fou...
Sep 06, 2024•53 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast Plus, Burning Man and Zuck's political moves.
Aug 30, 2024•56 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast Plus, a preview of Sam's new opus. And a More or Less fall meetup! Show Notes: 00:00 - Introduction and Vacation Plans 01:14 - Sam's Unpublished Document on Higher Education 04:44 - Joe Rogan's Peter Thiel Interview Pt. 1 08:35 - Health and Wellness Trends 12:33 - Joe Rogan's Peter Thiel Interview Pt. 2 16:39 - The Reset Phase 25:06 - Capital-Efficient Investments 31:14 - Understanding S-Curves and A.I. 51:09 - Tinkerers in the Startup Ecosystem 59:12 - Apple's Prestige Dad T...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast Plus, thank you Susan Wojcicki and the truth about remote work.
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast 
