Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson
(Preview) Monday Mailbag: The James Harden of Tech; Bandwidth and the Video Takeover; Gen AI and Ads; Political Donation Texts
Nov 4, 2024
The podcast draws an amusing parallel between NBA star James Harden and the tech world, highlighting the addictive power of short-form content like TikTok. It dives into the history of internet bandwidth that fueled video dominance. Generative AI's impact on digital ads sparks intriguing debates. A listener's frustrations with political donation texts add to the mix, while Ben shares insights on his Google Pixel experiment gone awry. It's a lively blend of sports, tech, and modern media dilemmas.
18:24
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Quick takeaways
- Short-form video content is reshaping social media engagement, influencing both casual and professional platforms with its addictive, algorithm-driven model.
- The NBA's strategic reliance on analytics, particularly inspired by James Harden's playstyle, raises concerns about the predictability and excitement of basketball games.
Deep dives
The Impact of Short-Form Video on Social Media
Short-form video content, particularly exemplified by TikTok, is reshaping the landscape of social media, prompting platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to adopt similar features. The discussion highlights how TikTok's addictive, algorithm-driven model has changed user engagement, making quick, visually stimulating content a dominant form of consumption. This format has not only influenced casual platforms but also seeped into professional networks, affecting user expectations across the board. As a result, even if TikTok were to be banned, its influence on user behavior and content creation would likely persist in other social media formats.
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