#41: Is AI Killing Media?
Plus, Inside The Information's Creator Economy Summit and a new threat for OpenAI. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod/message
Plus, Inside The Information's Creator Economy Summit and a new threat for OpenAI. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod/message
The gang discusses thenew "risk on" vibe in Silicon Valley. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod/message
Plus the Reddit IPO and Why Software Venture Capital is Getting Harder --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod/message
From the PAFACAA bill to the next front of the youth loneliness epidemic, the gang and a special guest digest the tech news of the moment. Takeaways Eventbrite has the potential to offer features that help users find events to meet like-minded people. Innovative event ideas, such as marking attendees' availability, can enhance the event experience. Digital communities have faced challenges in the events space, with limited success on platforms like Facebook and Reddit. The quality and curati...
A new idea for how to "ban" TikTok is gaining steam in D.C. while Elon (again) makes wakes. Plus, what the AI and ridesharing wars have in common. Takeaways The ban on TikTok and the regulation of Chinese apps are ongoing topics of discussion. Apple could play a significant role in creating controls for parents to limit app usage, including Chinese apps. Google has already taken steps to limit Chinese app access. The US-China relationship and co-dependence pose challenges in addressing...
Fresh from an investor conference in Los Angeles, the gang discusses the week's headlines and the behind-the-scenes scuttle from one of tech's elitegatherings. Articles Discussed How Apples Eight-Year Quest to Build a Self-Driving Car Hit Roadblocks Consumer Startups Are a Better Bet Than Enterprise Startups Show Notes 00:00:11 - Intro 00:01:33 - More or Less Business Models 00:03:15 - Upfront Summit Insights 00:04:21 - Event Networking Dynamics 00:04:56 - South by Southwest Comparisons ...
Plus, inside Sequoia's Klarna drama and the latest AI demos Show Notes 00:00 Introductions 03:00 The Potential of Reddit Advertising 09:00 Licensing Data and Monetization Challenges 13:00 The Moderation Challenge of Reddit 18:00 Private Group Moderation and Content Control 22:00 Failed Coup at Klarna 26:00 Tensions and Divisions in Late-Stage Pre-IPO Companies 30:00 The OpenAI Board Situation 31:00 Apple's New Sports App 33:12 Moon Landing and Advertising 33:45 Tech Companies and NBA Str...
The gang unpacks all the latest news about OpenAI and Sam Altman. Plus, does Google have a shot in AR/VR? And our dream Vision Pro apps. Takeaways Sports media has become a successful form of linear storytelling in the internet age, creating a national monoculture. The globalization of sports presents challenges in creating a unified global sports event. The Vision Pro and Quest devices offer different experiences, with the Vision Pro being more suitable for work and the Quest providing a more i...
As the Morin household goes full Vision Pro, the gangreveals what everyone is missing about the device. Plus, the earthquake through digital media and (maybe) the end of AI everything. Takeaways The Apple Vision Pro offers a truly immersive and transformative experience, changing the way users think about computing. The Vision Pro represents a new computing paradigm and has the potential to expand into various devices and accessories. Developers will play a crucial role in exploring and innovati...
In a special episode, the gang sits down with two digital media veterans and stars to discuss the current era of digital fame, the future of YouTube, TikTok, what A.I. means for creators, and more. Takeaways The rise of small creators and the viability of their work is a result of the democratization of content creation and the ability to build communities of fans. The shift from physical space to online identity has allowed individuals to define their uniqueness and value based on their voice a...
From Netflix to the NFL, the incumbents are having quite a moment. Plus, crypto's new energy and the gang's fiercely different views on.... peptides. Show Notes 00:00 Introduction and Silicon Valley banter 01:03 Discussion about football and personal influences 03:15 Challenges in the news and startup landscape 06:50 Struggles of fintech companies like Brex 08:11 Success of Netflix and the streaming wars 09:11 Difficulties of platformization in fintech 15:22 Investing in fintech and the ...
As regulators move in, the gang discusses the future of Apple and Google's app stores and their role over the next decade. Plus, the new layoff normal and Silicon Valley gets classy. SHOW NOTES 00:00 Opening and Introductions 01:11 Working with Partners 03:14 The Information Gala and Dress Code 03:45 NFL Playoffs and Sports Betting 07:02 Layoffs at YouTube and Privacy Changes 11:29 Apple Allowing Third-Party Payment Mechanisms 14:56 Frustrations with the App Store 16:21 Importance and Future...
In the first pod of 2024, the gang previews the year in VC to come and OpenAI vs. NYT. Plus, layoffs, boomerang VC and Brit's oh-so-Brit resolution. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod/message
The gang does a retro on their 2023 callsfrom AI to Vision Pro (we couldnt come up with a Z)and makes predictions for tech, media, and capital in 2024. BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: The Creative Act, A Way of Being by Rick Rubin The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin SHOW NOTES: 00:00 Introduction and Holiday Reflections 03:06 The Adobe-Figma Merger 05:35 The Pro-Capitalism Argument 06:52 Antitrust Laws and Government Int...
The gang discusses the Harvard debacle (and Sam's run for the Board of Overseers), why double-bottom lines are challenging, tech regulation, and more. DISCUSSED: The 19th News SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Opening. [01:10] We have a non-zero hit rate on making things things. [01:50] How did we start the pod? [03:01] The parable of launching a rocket at the moon. [04:23] This week's headlines. [06:28] Venture Capital Strategy: Why go super vertical? [10:56] Guess the Product: Is it a Cold Plunge a ...
The gang discusses the release of Google Gemini...the crypto resurgence, crystals and the Cybertruck. DISCUSSED: Introducing Gemini: our largest and most capable AI model Millions of new materials discovered with deep learning The Top 100 Articles from The Informations First 10 Years The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen Top Gear: Tesla Cybertruck DRIVEN! SHOW NOTES: [0:00:00] Opening. ...
The gang details thoughts on AGI risk and dives into the more immediate risks of AI, like why TikTok should be banned in the US and what to do about AI porn and deepfakes. Plus, startup product ideas abound as Dave, Sam and Brit debate what the future holds (both good and bad) for couples counseling, social media and entertainment. SHOW NOTES: [00:00:00] Open. [00:04:44] The question is not what AI can do, the question is what AI can't do. [00:07:50] Questions of AI governance around TikTok. [00...
DISCUSSED: For this bonus episode of More or Less, last month at The Information's WTF Conference, Jessica interviewed the sisters behind the hot clothing brand Favorite Daughter, the World's First Podcast andOversubscribed Ventures. They discussed entrepreneurship, building for today's customers and why it is sometimes a good idea to say everything you are thinking. SHOW NOTES: [00:03:06] Embrace being underestimated, say yes. [00:06:05] Embrace opportunities outside your comfort zo...
This weeks episode takes you front and center into the continuous unfolding of the OpenAI saga, including the different versions of the Sam Altman persona. The quad shares extensive debate on what could come next and why, with key insight into AI as a practical business technology vs. the fears around AGI, and the challenges of a for-profit business funding a non-profit mission. Listen in to learn lessons from other platforms, (especially those without strong economic rationality), observations ...
The gang discusses how you build dense networks of real value around small business in the AI future. Also, bonus discussion on content maxis vs. community maxis...and the symmetry of Jessica's face. Try the More or Less GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-Lt0xdU9Jp-more-or-less --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod/message
The gang discussesOpenAI's developer conference and whether the new GPT Store is a serious platform developers and entrepreneurs should care about, or just another slick PR announcement.Also thoughts on the IPO market (why bankers keep saying it isnt open, but will soon) and waytoo much discussion of The Morning (After) Show. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/moreorlesspod/message
The gang shares predictions around AI for the year ahead. Are we at digital war and don't even know it? Thoughts on defining an "American Tech Stack" and digital citizenship to defend against foreign speech and bots - and how to think about academia in an era where universities and research are no longer disconnected from politics and business. Discussed Greeking Out from National Geographic Kids Photoleap by Lightricks AI Photo Editing App Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and ...
Following news at Snap, the gang debates what the media gets wrong about founders and how founders need to react in this new market. Discussed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHsHKzYOV2E&t=779s Show Notes (00:00) Opening (06:05) Evan Spiegel's Persistence and Motivation (11:25) Founders and Product as Powerful Motivating Force (15:39) Challenges of Starting Over from Scratch (19:36) Balancing Product and Business Strategy (29:54) The End of the Product-Focused CEO? (37:02) Crypto Market ...
The Morins and the Lessins debate how to solve misinformation across even legacy media sites. Plus, prepping for VCs' big annual reports to shareholders. Discussed Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depression Effective for Up to a Year for Most Patients, Study Shows Slow evolution of a NYTimes headline. "Israeli Strike" -> "Strike" -> "Blast" After Hospital Blast, Headlines Shift With Changing Claims What To Do About Misinformation in the Upcoming Election Cy...
The Morins and Lessins discuss the urgent questions Hamas terrorism against Israel raises for tech companies. Plus, how leaders shouldand should notrespond to the attacks. Show Notes [0:00] Intro [0:36] Opening Discussion [2:03] It is a very important and troubling time in the world. Sharing some of our thoughts as a group. [2:10] Impossible to not talk about the Israel and Hamas situation. [2:15] We are not a political podcast nor are we political experts. We are tech people. [2:25] This podcas...
The couples unpack how to "Survive to 2025" and debate whether Threads had the right launch strategy. Plus, Yaccarino needs media training. Show Notes [00:01:18] Our first ever More or Less event. [00:04:44] Startups shutting down in Q3. [00:07:39] Seed investor and founder cramdown risk. [00:10:38] Not so lifestyle businesses. [00:13:37] Avoid debt at all costs. [00:17:51] Normalizing shut downs. [00:21:32] Will Twitter shut down? [00:24:50] Should Linda stay as CEO? [00:27:05] Twitte...
Adobe Chief Strategy Officer Scott Belsky joins the Morins and the Lessins as the Fifth Wheel for an episode about all things AI. Plus, inside the FTCs case for breaking up Amazon. *probably dead, but maybe not Show Notes [00:00:14] Developer experience and ease of use. [00:04:24] Scott Belsky and AI. [00:09:55] Empowering SMBs with AI. [00:12:26] Proprietary data and AI. [00:16:09] Building clouds and competition. [00:18:30] AI regulation and fast growth. [00:21:19] The concept of agents. [00:2...
As the news heats up, the couples discuss why recent IPOs tell us little about whether the window is, in fact, open and ponder the future of leadership in Silicon Valley. Show Notes: [00:00:10] Startup location rules. [00:05:30] Silicon Valley regulation debate. [00:08:18] Younger and hungrier talent. [00:11:30] Generational transfer in big tech. [00:14:10] Florida signaling and tax optimization. [00:18:23] Tech events worth attending. [00:23:02] Female CEO of Instacart. [00:25:13] Staying priva...
The couples take you up close and personal with this weeks Apple event and discuss the future of the company, hardware and the garbage product they cant live without. Plus, Brit schools Sam on pop culture, part 10. Show Notes: [00:00:00] New composting trash can? [00:05:23] Apple event changes. [00:08:56] Recycling Cobalt and climate impact. [00:10:46] Apple's first Carbon Neutral Product. [00:15:27] Camera technology advancements. [00:19:44] Apple's trajectory after the launch. [00:22:1...
but something else will bloom instead. Plus, this is why Europe can't have nice things. And the Cable Cowboy kills cable. Discussed: The Hottest Coach in Sports: Coach Prime How Deel Became Payout Provider for Prop Trading Firms, Including Site Frozen by CFTC John Malones Charter Squeezes Disney at Vulnerable Moment Cable Cowboy: John Malone and the Rise of the Modern Cable The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success How Taylor Swift Ditched De...