#59: Google: Can it Outrun Regulation?
Plus, Sam's Instagram splurge and new science on how women should work out.
Episodes
More or Less
Dave Morin, Jessica Lessin, Brit Morin, and Sam Lessin have debated the future of Silicon Valley and tech as the closest of friends for the last 15 years. Now six companies, two venture funds and more than a decade at Google, Apple and Facebook later, they are opening up the debate. From The Information, Offline Ventures, and Slow Ventures.
Follow the crew:
http://x.com/davemorin
http://x.com/brit
http://x.com/lessin
http:/x.com/jessicalessin
Follow the pod:
https://moreorlesspod.com/
http://youtube.com/moreorlesspod
https://x.com/moreorlesspod
Episodes
#58: The Death of Friends
Plus, why you should short Nvidia (but don't) plus Silicon Valley swarms the Hamptons.
#57: Zuckerberg’s Open Source AI Manifesto
Plus, the Morins teach the Lessins about streetwear and BRAT culture. And the full quad debates ideas for both presidential candidates' social media teams.
#56: Trump and the PayPal Mafia
Inside the moves and motivations behind the new wave of Trump-VC endorsements. Plus, Sam returns from Kilimanjaro.
#55: The Modern Press Playbook with Jess
Plus, techies and their quantified sports.
#54: Sun Valley, Tennis and Robots: Summer Adventure Preview
Who is in—and out—at this year's annual Allen & Co. conference? Plus, racquet sports, robots, and how the summer is shaping up in tech.
#53: What We Got Wrong—and Right—in a Year of More or Less
Are IPOs relevant? RIP AGI? The gang looks back on our debates and predictions and how we'd refine our views based on what we know now.
#52: Elad Gil on What to Build in AI (Part II)
The gang focuses on the exit opportunities for AI startups and whether there will be a growing wave of AI buyouts. Plus, debating the surgeon general's warning about social networks and kids.
#51: Vinod Khosla on What to Build in AI
The prolific AI investor joins the gang to discuss OpenAI, Apple and the AI deals he is—and isn't—doing and why. Plus, what's in Vinod's ChatGPT history.
#50: Startups to Start: Media Edition
The gang kicks off a new series about what entrepreneurs should build with a sector close to our heart. Plus, Brit details the Life360 U.S. IPO and Jess flaunts some new merch.
#49: The Big Ass Calendar… and Other Things NOT to Google
This week's conversation covers a wide range of topics, including Google's AI fails, the limitations of AI, the future of digital twins, the challenges of modeling the brain, and the impact of AI on content moderation and entertainment. It also delves into the market value of Reddit, the decline of Quora, and the use of AI in SEO strategies. The discussion highlights the complexities of AI, the internet, and the digital world, and the challenges of incentivizing and moderating content. T...
#48: Move Fast (But Don't) Break Silicon Valley
How much capital is ok to burn through in a pursuit of a moonshot? Plus, are people too negative about tech? And techies guide to summer.
#47: Algorithm-Proof Media and New Twists in the AI War
Plus, peak developer confernece and bundle, unbundle, bundle!
#46: Is Social Media Dead?
Plus Apple 'Crushes' Its New iPad Ad, and Sam goes shopping.
#45: How Tech Cos. Quit the Culture Wars
Plus the boring phone movement and games, games everywhere.
#44: The $1B AI Girlfriend Market, the Tech Hedge Fund Fallout and Why VCs Can’t Quit AI
Plus has Taylor maxed out her TAM?
#43: TikTok’s New App, Tesla’s Sunken Stock, Are Tech Workers Leaving Silicon Valley For Good?
Plus, power shifts in social and why you should pay attention to the new Taylor Swift album.
#41: Is AI Killing Media?
Plus, Inside The Information's Creator Economy Summit and a new threat for OpenAI.
#42: OpenAI, IP Theft and a New Incentive Structure for the Internet
The gang unleashes some concerns following new revelations about how companies have been training their AI models. Plus, Netflix's Three Body Problem, The Information's Private Capital Conference and more.
#40: Reddit IPO, Apple v. DOJ and the Return of the Power Lunch
The gang discusses the new "risk on" vibe in Silicon Valley.
#39: How (Not?) to Exit Your AI Company, Analyzing the New Google-Apple Tie Up
Plus the Reddit IPO and Why Software Venture Capital is Getting Harder
#38: Hartz and Minds and TikTok w/ Special Guest Julia Hartz
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 cura...
#37: TikTok's Latest Crisis, Elon's Emails, AI Monopolies
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...
#36: RIP Apple Car, Google's AI Reality Problem, Long Live Consumer Tech
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 elite gatherings. Articles Discussed How Apple’s 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 Comparison...
#35: 2024 IPO Dreams, Apple's Sports Game and Reddit's Biz Gamble
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...
#34: 7 Trillion Reasons Why
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...
#33: Yes/No, Vision Pro? w/Special Guest Brian Singerman of Founders Fund
As the Morin household goes full Vision Pro, the gang reveals 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 innovat...
#32: Taylor Swift vs. MrBeast w/Casey Neistat and Ricky Van Veen
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...
#31: Fintech Struggles, Netflix Rises and 'Big' is Winning
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 ...
#30: The Great App Store Debate, Layoffs, and Playoffs...Oh My!
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...