This Week in Startups

Tesla vs. Mark Rober, Google’s $32B M&A Bet, & XRP’s SEC Victory | E2100

Mar 19, 2025

Dive into the Tesla FSD drama sparked by a YouTuber's viral video, raising questions about technology trust and public accountability. Explore Google’s staggering $32 billion bet on cybersecurity, with thoughts on its potential impact on the M&A landscape. Plus, rejoice in XRP's SEC victory and what it means for the future of cryptocurrency regulation. The discussion teases the intersection of technology, market dynamics, and the ever-evolving entrepreneurial landscape.

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Quick takeaways

The viral comparison video between a LIDAR-equipped vehicle and Tesla’s autopilot ignited intense scrutiny regarding technological accuracy and bias in experimental design.

Google's $32 billion acquisition of Wiz is expected to trigger a new wave of M&A activity in the cybersecurity sector, reshaping the industry landscape.

The SEC's decision to drop its case against XRP could significantly influence the future of cryptocurrency regulations and market dynamics.

Deep dives

Viral Video Controversy

A YouTuber produced a viral video comparing a LIDAR-equipped vehicle with a Tesla on autopilot, generating extensive scrutiny within the Tesla community. Critics highlighted various technical issues with the video, especially regarding the modes used during the test. For example, the distinction between 'autopilot' and 'full self-driving (FSD)' modes became a focal point of debate, as many believed using FSD would have yielded different results. Concerns were raised over perceived bias and inaccuracies in the video's presentation, casting doubts on its credibility.

Intro

2min

Political Commentary and Tesla's Cultural Impact

10min

Navigating Tesla's FSD vs Autopilot

7min

Examining Integrity in Autonomous Driving Experiments and Entrepreneurial Setup

4min

YouTube Experiments and LiDAR Insights

6min

Market Dynamics and Strategic Advertising in Tech

5min

Analyzing Google's $32 Billion Acquisition

16min

Ripple Effects: XRP and the Future of Cryptocurrency Regulation

14min

Today’s show: Tesla FSD drama, Google’s massive $32B cybersecurity bet, and XRP’s SEC victory. Jason, Lon, and Alex break down the internet firestorm over Mark Rober’s viral Tesla test, why Google’s Wiz acquisition could spark a new M&A wave, and what the SEC dropping its case against XRP means for crypto’s future.

Timestamps:

(0:00) Episode Teaser(1:27) Show intro(2:01) Jason's skiing trip and Tesla stock banter(3:00) Criticism of Democratic party’s approach(5:44) Discussion of Mark Rober's Tesla and lidar video and autopilot vs FSD(8:00) Mark Rober's response and debate over his relationship with lidar CEO(9:56) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://gusto.com/twist(11:02) Further criticisms and analysis of Rober's video and audience expectations(19:41) Suggestion for Rober to redo the test and video title accuracy(20:07) Northwest Registered Agent. Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!(21:38) Accountability and public reaction to Rober's video(25:00) Potential fallout, personal consequences, and stock impact(29:58) AdQuick - For TWiST listeners - AdQuick is waiving their fee on your first campaign. Visit https://www.adquick.com/twist(31:18) Personal investments and conflicts of interest(33:25) Wiz acquisition and implications for M&A market(37:28) Calculation of returns and LP impact(40:38) Benefits of M&A for society and antitrust concerns(43:27) Examples of market cornering, price gouging, and cloud computing(49:29) XRP and SEC lawsuit update and implications(56:29) Proposed regulations for crypto projects and Trump coin(1:00:21) The need for clear crypto regulations and potential for new projects

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Links from the show:

Mark Rober’s Philip Defranco interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1htfqXyX6M

Follow Alex:

X: https://x.com/alex

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm

Follow Jason:

X: https://twitter.com/Jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

Thank you to our partners:

(9:56) Gusto - Get three months free when you run your first payroll at http://gusto.com/twist(20:07) Northwest Registered Agent. Form your entire business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes. Get more privacy, more options, and more done—visit northwestregisteredagent.com/twist today!(29:58) AdQuick - For TWiST listeners - AdQuick is waiving their fee on your first campaign. Visit https://www.adquick.com/twist

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