Slate Daily Feed Slate Money | A Second Gold Toilet!?
Nov 1, 2025
The hosts dive into OpenAI's transition from nonprofit to for-profit, debating its impact on safety and funding. They also tackle skyrocketing Affordable Care Act premiums and the political circus surrounding healthcare affordability, especially for vulnerable groups. On a lighter note, Maurizio Cattelan's gold toilet emerges from obscurity, set to be auctioned off, raising questions about its art historical significance and potential buyers. Plus, quirky cultural tidbits like Japan's handbag craze and a K-pop costume sellout add flair!
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OpenAI's New For‑Profit Structure
- OpenAI reorganized from a nonprofit into a public benefit corporation to access huge private capital while keeping a nonprofit stake.
- That structure may let the nonprofit spend billions later, but does not guarantee products will serve the public.
PBC Label Offers Weak Constraints
- Being a public benefit corporation is a low legal bar and can be reversed easily by the company.
- A third-party B Corp certification is stricter and more meaningful than mere PBC status.
Verify B Corp Claims Before Trusting Them
- Don't claim B Corp status unless you hold B Lab certification and meet the standards.
- Use third-party certification to credibly signal genuine social and environmental performance.
