Taylor Lorenz’s Power User Is There A Vibe Shift in Silicon Valley? [PATREON EXCLUSIVE]
Dec 22, 2025
In a lively discussion with John Coogan, host of TBPN and tech commentator, the duo tackles a potential vibe shift in Silicon Valley. They explore the backlash against increasingly dystopian startups and the evolving mindsets of founders seeking more purposeful ventures. The exchange highlights the tech community's reactions to Marc Andreessen's controversial remarks about AI and shifts towards practical concerns over existential fears. Coogan sheds light on emerging trends in tech that you won't want to miss.
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Dystopian Product Trend Recoils
- Silicon Valley startups increasingly produced dystopian-sounding products like crypto, gambling, and AI friends over recent years.
- Taylor Lorenz suggests a small backlash is emerging as founders and peers question these trajectories.
Pope Tweet Triggers Practical AI Debate
- The Pope's public plea for ethical AI sparked a notable tech Twitter backlash and wider debate among founders.
- John Coogan says the conversation shifted from existential AI doom to practical product harms like misinformation and monetization risks.
From Existential Fear To Practical Harms
- Early AI fears centered on existential doomsday scenarios championed by figures like Eliezer Yudkowsky.
- John Coogan observes the community now focuses more on everyday harms, reliability, and business model incentives.