TBPN The legacy and future of CES, Dwarkesh’s “Capital in the 22nd Century,” Ben Thompson’s “AI and the Human Condition” | Diet TBPN
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Jan 7, 2026 Explore the fascinating evolution of CES, tracing its roots from 1967 and the hype around iconic launches like the Xbox. Delve into the effectiveness of celebrity marketing in product launches and their changing dynamics. Discuss the rise of AI at CES, from smart TVs to verified skeptical integrations. There’s also engaging commentary on capital, inequality, and the role of technology in shaping our future, featuring insights on parenting with AI and the strange dynamics of happiness in an unequal world.
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CES’s Historical Peak And Modern Decline
- CES launched landmark consumer tech like the VCR, CD player, Commodore 64, and Xbox which made it historically central to product debuts.
- But John Coogan argues the iPhone era and self-hosted launches have hollowed out independent trade shows' role as premiere reveal stages.
Bill Gates’ Xbox Moment
- John Coogan recounts Bill Gates unveiling the original Xbox at CES with theatrical showmanship and a massive controller on display.
- He uses the Xbox debut to illustrate how iconic in-person reveals once were and how celebrity cameos amplified launches.
Control Your Product Reveal
- When launching major products, control the reveal environment to shape narrative and avoid direct spec comparisons.
- Emulate Apple's playbook: choose venues that let you define categories and pacing rather than ceding context to trade-show comparison tables.
