The Future of Everything With Derek Thompson, Plus UFC 300’s Missing Main Event and the Rock’s Turn With Ariel Helwani
Feb 16, 2024
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Derek Thompson, a writer for The Atlantic and host of the Plain English podcast, shares fascinating insights on the future of health, culture, and technology. He discusses the impact of societal changes on mental health and examines the role of innovations like GLP-1 drugs. Meanwhile, Ariel Helwani, a prominent MMA journalist, dives into the buzz surrounding UFC 300, the marketing challenges it faces, and the evolving landscape of wrestling with upcoming WrestleMania events. Their dynamic conversations blend culture, sports, and pressing societal issues.
The fragmentation of culture into cult-like factions is making it difficult for people to understand and communicate with one another.
Apple's Vision Pro mixed reality headset could reshape how people consume media and interact with their surroundings, but concerns arise about the potential negative impact on human psychology.
The decline of face-to-face interactions and socializing is a growing worry as technology advances and screens become more immersive.
It is important to strike a balance between advancements in screen technology and the value of physical interactions, community, and real-world experiences.
The plans for WrestleMania 40 are uncertain, with twists and turns including the absence of Vince McMahon and potential match changes.
Deep dives
The Rise of Cult-Like Media
In today's media landscape, various platforms and outlets are exhibiting cult-like characteristics. News media, celebrity fandom, and politics are all becoming increasingly polarized, with intense loyalty and isolation from opposing viewpoints. This fragmentation of culture into cult-like factions makes it difficult for people to understand and communicate with one another, further deepening divisions.
Vision Pro: The Future of Immersive Technology
Apple's Vision Pro mixed reality headset represents the pinnacle of screen technology and immersive experiences. With rave reviews and a hefty price tag, it opens up possibilities for various applications beyond entertainment. From in-flight VR rentals to enhanced movie theater experiences, Vision Pro could reshape how people consume media and interact with their surroundings. However, concerns arise about the potential negative impact on human psychology as screens become increasingly prevalent and replace physical interactions.
The Concerning Impact of Vision Pro on Human Interaction
As technology advances and screens become more immersive, there is a growing worry regarding the decline of face-to-face interactions and socializing. With average socializing time decreasing significantly, it is important to consider how Vision Pro and similar technologies may contribute to further isolation and detachment from the physical world. The potential effects on human psychology and the erosion of community and sociability are significant concerns that need to be addressed.
Rethinking the Role of Screens in Society
As screen technology continues to evolve and deliver increasingly immersive experiences, it is crucial to reassess their impact on society and human interaction. While advancements like Vision Pro offer exciting possibilities, it is important to strike a balance that prioritizes the value of physical interactions, community, and real-world experiences. Future developments and adaptations of this technology should aim to enhance, rather than replace, meaningful human connections.
WrestleMania plans for WWE in 2022
The plans for WrestleMania 40 seem to be uncertain with twists and turns, including the absence of Vince McMahon and potential match changes. The involvement of The Rock as a red herring in the storytelling is creating intrigue, but the main event remains uncertain. It's unclear if a triple threat match will be the direction, or if Cody will face The Rock one night and Roman Reigns the next. Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Vince McMahon's recent scandal adds chaos to the situation.
Excitement for the upcoming AEW events
AEW is experiencing a creative surge with stars like Gunther stepping up and thriving in their roles. The current storylines and booking have been top-notch, with fans eagerly anticipating AEW Revolution and AEW Double or Nothing. The future of AEW looks bright, especially with Raw reportedly moving to Netflix in the coming year, allowing for increased exposure and potential growth for the business.
CM Punk's role in WWE
While CM Punk initially generated significant excitement with his return to AEW, his wrestling matches have been inconsistent due to injuries and reduced performance quality. The planned match between him and Seth Rollins had to be changed due to Punk's tricep injury. Despite his legendary status, it's uncertain how well CM Punk can deliver in the ring at this stage of his career.
The French MMA scene and its impact on UFC
The French MMA scene is rapidly growing and producing talented fighters who are making waves in the UFC. With UFC 300 approaching, the French audience's passion and enthusiasm for the sport is evident. The rise of French MMA could have a positive impact on the UFC's popularity and success in the region.
UFC 300: The Importance of Conor McGregor's Presence
The podcast discusses the strategic decision of not having Conor McGregor fight at UFC 300 and instead saving him for a separate event. The main reason for this is the expectation that UFC 300 will sell a million-plus pay-per-view buys on its own, and having Conor fight at that event would require dividing the profits among other fighters on the card. Additionally, other champions on the card are owed pay-per-view points as part of their contracts, and having Conor on the same card would mean sharing those profits with him. Therefore, the podcast suggests that UFC 300 will likely have other champions as the main event, while Conor McGregor will headline a separate event in the summer.
Potential Matchup: Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis
The podcast speculates on the potential main event of UFC 300, with one likely matchup being Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis. Adesanya is a popular fighter and current champion, while Du Plessis recently won the belt in January. This matchup checks all the boxes for a high-profile main event, as both fighters have a deep rivalry and significant backstory, making it an exciting and marketable fight. The podcast also mentions other potential matchups and acknowledges that the official announcement for UFC 300 is still pending.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons is joined by Derek Thompson to discuss the "future of everything," including health, culture, tech, and sports (3:15). Then Bill talks with Ariel Helwani about the buzz for the upcoming UFC 300 vs. the reality that it might not even be the best card so far this year, UFC 298 and 299 story lines, WrestleMania 40, upcoming WWE TV rights deals, and more (1:07:23).
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Derek Thompson and Ariel Helwani
Producer: Kyle Crichton
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