This Week in Startups

Medium: Reaching Profitability while The Internet is Broken + CorePod | E2003

Sep 5, 2024

01:18:56

Snipd AI

Tony Stubblebine from Medium discusses the challenges of the broken internet and the limitations of ad-based models. The impact of AI on content creation is explored, particularly regarding quality and spam. Medium's financial strategies and growth, including subscriber milestones and geographic expansion, are highlighted. The conversation also delves into the importance of expertise in curating content and the potential of subscription models to navigate the evolving media landscape.

AI Summary

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The podcast discusses the limitations of AI in replicating the depth of human thought necessary for quality writing.

It highlights the broken internet's reliance on ad-based models that compromise content quality and promote misinformation.

Medium's subscription model focuses on curating high-quality writing while ensuring fair compensation for authors, distancing itself from clickbait tactics.

Deep dives

AI's Impact on Writing

AI's potential to revolutionize writing is questioned, emphasizing that writing is fundamentally a form of thinking. The speaker shares personal experiences of attempting to integrate AI into their writing process, describing it as unsatisfactory. There is a concern that AI-generated content often lacks the depth and understanding that comes from genuine human thought. This perspective raises doubts about AI's current ability to replicate the nuanced and reflective nature of writing.

Beware the Cost of Attention: Quality Suffers in Ad-Based Models

02:47

Expertise Beats Media: Seek the Real Opportunity

02:59

Streamline Communication to Enhance Customer Experience

05:13

Growth is Guideline, Not Goal

01:05

Intro

2min

Reimagining the Internet's Business Models

8min

Balancing Expertise and AI in Content Curation

7min

Exploring Opportunities in the Creator and Expert Economies

4min

Navigating Financial Solutions and Global Perspectives

5min

Navigating the Challenge of AI Spam and Content Ownership

5min

The Future of AI and Subscription Models in Content Creation

5min

The Impact of Exclusive AI Data Access on Market Value

2min

Navigating Profitability in the Media Landscape

30min

10.

Exploring a Digital Sleep Companion for Mental Health Management

4min

11.

Navigating the Sleep Tech Landscape

7min

12.

Validating Hardware Ideas Through Customer Interaction

2min

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

Notion. Notion Projects combines project management with your docs, knowledge base, and AI. Try notion projects for free at notion.com/twist

Brex. The financial stack founders can bank on. Brex knows cash is king for startups, so they built a banking experience that takes every dollar further. Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at ⁠https://www.brex.com/twist24

OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

Timestamps:

(0:00) Tony Stubblebine of Medium joins Alex.

(3:10) The broken internet and ad-based models

(5:57) Impact of AI on content creation and platform quality

(10:01) Medium's curation and financial model

(11:18) Notion - Try notion projects for free at https://www.notion.so/twist

(18:23) Medium's growth, geographic expansion, and AI translation

(20:02) Brex - Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at ⁠https://www.brex.com/twist24

(22:05) AI-driven media platforms and the impact of AI spam

(29:32) OpenPhone - TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist⁠

(30:59) Medium's subscriber growth and financial milestones

(34:35) AI data exclusivity and challenges in forming training data cohorts