The Ben & Marc Show

New Media: Podcasts, Politics & the Collapse of Trust

78 snips
Jul 25, 2025
In a compelling conversation, Erik Torenberg, General Partner at a16z and founder of Turpentine, dives into the dramatic shifts in media today. He discusses how social media has disrupted traditional institutions, reshaping trust and authority. The chat highlights the rise of podcasters as influential voices over pundits, the polarization of media narratives, and the evolving standards of engagement in politics. With insights on the barbell strategy, from quick virality to in-depth storytelling, they explore the future of media and its profound implications for society.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Social Media Exposes Authority

  • Social media acts as an x-ray revealing the flaws in authoritative institutions and individuals.
  • This transparency accelerates the collapse of trust in traditional authority and expert institutions.
INSIGHT

Institutional Trust Began Falling in 70s

  • Institutional trust began declining in the 1970s due to cultural upheavals and decentralization of information.
  • Social and technological changes created competing narratives, undermining the unified media authority.
ANECDOTE

AIDS Cover-Up Exposed by Horowitz's Father

  • Ben Horowitz’s father exposed the AIDS pandemic cover-up in the 1980s despite institutional pressure.
  • This experience showed how experts and institutions could be wrong or dishonest, impacting lives profoundly.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app