Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson (Preview) The Hidden Benefits of Bubble Economics, Microsoft and OpenAI Make a Deal, Notes on Taylor Sheridan, Sora, and Nexperia
8 snips
Oct 31, 2025 In a riveting discussion, Ben delves into Substrate's bold attempt to challenge chipmaking giants TSMC and ASML. He explores how bubble economies can fuel radical innovation, making high-stakes projects more viable. The podcast also touches on the recent OpenAI-Microsoft deal and the potential of humanoid robots. Additionally, insights into Taylor Sheridan's departure from Paramount and the complexities surrounding Sora and Nexperia add layers to the conversation, making it a thoughtful exploration of tech's evolving landscape.
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Moving, New Neighbors, And Bad Internet
- Ben moved to Taiwan to be near his kids' school and ended up next door to a friend from Wisconsin who became one of his best friends.
- He discovered his new U.S. house had poor internet due to an old neighborhood and single cable provider, causing months of podcast disruptions.
Starlink Saved The Podcast
- Ben relied on Starlink after months of unreliable local cable internet to keep recording podcasts functional.
- He spent a lot to get reliable connectivity and praised Starlink for enabling their shows despite imperfect speeds.
Lithography Is The Cost Center
- Lithography is the most difficult and expensive step in chip manufacturing and drives foundry costs skyward.
- ASML's dominance and EUV advances made lithography the central bottleneck for leading-edge nodes.
