

Ben and Marc on New Media: Podcasts, Politics & the Collapse of Trust
426 snips Jul 25, 2025
Erik Torenberg, General Partner at a16z and founder of Turpentine, explores how the internet transformed media and power dynamics in America. He discusses the crucial shift from traditional journalism to social media, asserting that authenticity now trumps polish. The conversation dives into the collapse of trust in institutions, with Trump as a pivotal figure. Torenberg highlights how podcasters are setting the agenda in politics and examines the evolving role of media, from drama to depth, revealing the complexities founders face in this landscape.
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Internet Oversupply Fractures News
- The internet caused a news oversupply with 30+ subscale competitors rather than a few scale players.
- Lack of rationalization leads to inefficient duplication like multiple reporting staffs in competing outlets.
Social Media Erodes Authority
- Social media acts as an x-ray revealing imperfections in traditional authorities, accelerating distrust.
- Institutional authority erodes as social media exposes flaws and amplifies alternative views.
1970s Sparked Trust Decline
- Institutional trust began declining in the 1970s due to cultural shifts and media decentralization.
- New media outlets created alternative narratives, fracturing unified trust in traditional authorities.