Not Investment Advice 239: Amazon Automation & Job Cuts, Gold Drops, Debasement Trade, AI Music & NBA Betting Scandal
Oct 29, 2025
The hosts dive into Amazon's massive layoffs, driven by automation, and discuss how this shift might change warehouse jobs. They explore the recent drop in gold prices, contrasting it with the rise of Bitcoin. AI-generated music takes center stage as they evaluate its quality and the implications for artists and record labels. The conversation also unpacks the NBA betting scandal and the ethical dilemmas surrounding sports betting apps and prediction markets, raising questions about transparency and fairness in gambling.
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Bank Blocks Gold Purchase, Sparks Crypto Turn
- Jack Butcher had his Lloyd's TSB account shut when he tried to buy physical gold and had to fly back to close the account.
- That experience pushed him toward crypto as an alternative to traditional banking.
Warehouse Automation Accelerates Rapidly
- Amazon reports automating warehouses up to 75% using a new Vulcan system with tactile grippers and generative AI.
- They claim this reduces hiring needs by hundreds of thousands while creating new robot-maintenance roles.
Tactile Grippers Unlock Broader Automation
- The new tactile gripper expands the range of items robots can handle versus suction cups, unlocking more automation opportunities.
- Amazon argues cost savings will fund expanded rural delivery and new technical roles.