More or Less #91: Google’s $32B Deal and a Silicon Valley Spy Scandal!
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Mar 21, 2025 In the whirlwind of Silicon Valley, the drama unfolds! Google’s jaw-dropping $32B acquisition raises eyebrows amid antitrust concerns. A spy scandal between fintech firms Rippling and Deel reveals shocking espionage tactics. Gwyneth Paltrow stirs the pot by dismissing intimacy coordinators, highlighting Hollywood’s evolving culture. Meanwhile, innovative apps like GuardLeen aim to protect kids’ online identities. Plus, venture capital dynamics reveal the intense rivalries, making this tech landscape more intriguing than ever!
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Public Editor Criticism
- Jessica Lessin was once criticized by the NYT's public editor for insufficient disclosure about her husband's Facebook employment.
- Ironically, NYT editors had shortened Lessin's original, more detailed disclosure.
Bathing Suit Ethics
- The Wall Street Journal's ethics department once called Jessica Lessin to tell her reporters shouldn't wear bathing suits.
- This happened while Lessin was in Cyprus.
Chair Video
- Facebook's first Super Bowl ad was about chairs, highlighting a disconnect between tech and media.
- Sam Lessin argues it demonstrates an early attempt at mass marketing that missed the mark.