7/24/23: Vivek Ties w/ DeSantis In Republican Shakeup, Elon Rebrands Twitter to "X", Biden Terrified Of Cornel West Bid, Congress Blasts UFO Coverup, Krystal Reviews Barbie, Bezos Loses 100 Million At WAPO
Vivek ties DeSantis in Republican primary shakeup, Elon rebrands Twitter, Biden terrified of Cornel West bid, Congress blasts UFO coverup, Krystal reviews Barbie, Bezos loses 100 million at WAPO.
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Quick takeaways
Democrats are concerned about the Green Party candidacy of Cornell West potentially splitting the progressive vote and impacting the outcome of the election.
Twitter's rebranding effort as X.com aims to transform the platform into a global marketplace, raising concerns about consolidation of power and censorship.
The Washington Post under Jeff Bezos' ownership has struggled to turn a profit, with projected losses of $100 million this year, highlighting challenges faced by traditional media outlets.
Deep dives
White House Concerns Over Cornell West's Green Party Candidacy
The White House is reportedly concerned about the Green Party candidacy of Cornell West, who has been gaining attention and support with his outspoken interviews and campaign platform. Democrats fear that West, along with the history of the Green Party's role in past elections, could potentially split the progressive vote and impact the outcome of the election. West's campaign manager, Jill Stein, who ran as the Green Party nominee in 2016, has further raised concerns among Democrats. While some argue that a strong third-party candidate is needed to push the Democratic Party to prioritize progressive policies, others maintain that it could ultimately benefit the Republican nominee and result in another election loss for Democrats.
Twitter Rebranding: Elon Musk's X.com
Twitter has announced a rebranding effort, changing its name to X.com and unveiling a new logo. The move is seen as an attempt to expand the platform's offerings beyond its current scope and transform it into a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. Critics argue that Twitter's core competencies should be the focus rather than branching out into new and ambitious endeavors. Additionally, concerns are raised about the potential consolidation of power within the hands of tech billionaires and the implications for control and censorship in the public square.
Decline in Threads Usage
Threads, a new feature launched by Twitter, has experienced a significant decline in daily active users since its peak two weeks ago. The decline of almost 70% raises questions about whether Threads can effectively compete with Twitter and other established platforms. Critics argue that breaking through user habits and loyalties can be challenging, and the initial success of Threads may not be indicative of long-term engagement and usage. While Threads may continue to have a presence with its corporate backing and integration with Instagram, it is unlikely to unseat Twitter's position as the dominant microblogging platform.
The Washington Post under Jeff Bezos is set to lose $100 million this year
Under Jeff Bezos' ownership, The Washington Post has yet to turn a profit and is projected to lose $100 million this year alone. Despite investing heavily in infrastructure and staffing, the paper has struggled to monetize its digital subscriptions, particularly after the decline in subscribers following the Trump era. Bezos' plans to turn the paper into a software company and build a new backend system have also failed to gain traction, leading to discussions about selling the business. This news highlights the challenges faced by traditional media outlets in an increasingly digital landscape.
Barbie movie receives mixed reviews and faces criticism for its messaging
The Barbie movie has received mixed reviews and faced criticism for its messaging. Some viewers found the humor inappropriate for a kids' movie, with jokes about genitals and gynecological exams. The movie has been accused of being preachy, relying on surface-level critiques of the patriarchy without offering substantial commentary. Additionally, some believe that the movie's marketing strategy focuses more on profiting from merchandise sales than delivering a revolutionary message. Despite the criticism, the movie has seen success at the box office, particularly among certain demographics.
The challenges of the TV industry: Disney CEO and linear TV decline
Disney CEO Bob Iger's recent admission that linear TV is dead highlights the challenges faced by the TV industry. Linear TV is facing declining ratings, layoffs, and significant changes due to shifts in consumer behavior towards streaming services. This shift poses a problem for companies heavily invested in traditional TV models, as advertising revenue declines and the demand for content on digital platforms rises. The decline of linear TV mirrors the challenges faced by the newspaper industry, and the need for industry players to adapt to changing consumer preferences.
Krystal and Saagar discuss Vivek tie-ing DeSantis in Republican Primary Shakeup, a Deleted Pro-DeSantis vid with Nazi symbols, Elon rebrands Twitter in global banking play, Biden terrified of Cornel West Bid, Congress blasts UFO coverup as they claim things "not from this world", a Map reveals Red states obsessed with Barbie, Krystal looks into Barbie's Late Stage Girl Boss Mess, and Saagar looks into how Jeff Bezos is losing 100 million at WAPO.