More or Less #92: The Signal Scandal & DOGE Drama! (with Ben Smith and Nicholas Carlson)
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Mar 28, 2025 
Join media heavyweights Ben Smith, founder of Semafor, and Nick Carlson, founder of Dynamo, as they dive into the juicy collision between Washington and Silicon Valley. They tackle the Signal Group Chat Scandal and dissect how DOGE's popularity reveals deep ideological rifts. The conversation shifts to China overtaking Tesla and Elon Musk's changing public perception. They explore the impact of AI on creative industries and the media landscape, serving up insights on trust, transparency, and the evolving dynamics of journalism in today's tech-centric world.
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Jealousy and News Luck
- Ben Smith's reaction to the Atlantic Signal story was primarily jealousy.
- He highlighted the importance of "news luck" for reporters getting scoops.
Technologist's Perspective on Signal
- Brit Morin's initial reaction to the Signal story focused on technological shortcomings of contact lists.
- She questioned why such basic issues persist in modern communication tools.
Signal vs. Other Platforms
- Ben Smith argues that despite the blunder, using Signal is better than less secure alternatives for government officials.
- Open communication is key, although over-classification and over-security can hinder government functioning.