The Ben & Marc Show a16z, AI and Investing in the new era (ft. Packy McCormick)
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Jan 15, 2026 
Packy McCormick, founder of Not Boring, engages with a16z co-founders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz on the shifting media landscape. They discuss the rise of writer-led platforms like Substack and how monetization is fostering a new wave of quality content. The conversation highlights AI as a transformative force in the industry, reshaping entrepreneurship and markets. They also explore the importance of reputation in venture capital, the dynamics of autonomous teams, and the excitement surrounding a new generation of founders.
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Journalists Turning Against Free Speech
- Marc Andreessen recounts reporters cornering him and demanding Facebook censor more political content.
- He describes that moment as when he realized many journalists turned against freedom of speech during the 2010s.
Substack And Twitter Shift The Speech Environment
- Marc says Substack held the line on freedom of speech under enormous pressure and stuck to principled positions.
- He credits Substack and Elon’s Twitter purchase as turning points restoring a more open speech environment in the U.S.
Enable Supply To Unlock Hidden Demand
- Invest in supply-driven markets by enabling monetization that brings new creators into existence.
- Create products that unlock supply; new supply often creates its own demand and scales beyond visible markets.