Brian McCullough

Brian McCullough, host of the Tech Meme Ride Home and author of 'How the Internet Happened,' dives into the top tech stories of 2024. He discusses the mixed reception of Apple Vision Pro and Meta's Ray-Bans revolutionizing smart glasses. The rise of AI, with NVIDIA's pivotal role, is explored alongside breakthroughs in quantum computing and self-driving tech. The geopolitical tech rivalry, particularly between the U.S. and China, takes center stage, while also examining the potential TikTok ban and evolving cryptocurrency landscape. McCullough offers a glimpse into the tech forecast for 2025.

Brian McCullough, host of the Tech Meme Ride Home podcast, dives into the latest tech trends. He discusses the fascinating use of ChatGPT for creating Studio Ghibli-style art, raising questions about copyright and the future of creativity. The conversation turns to CoreWeave's disappointing IPO, exploring the challenges of profitability in a cooling AI market. Finally, McCullough examines whether Silicon Valley might lose its monopoly as tech sovereignty gains traction worldwide, reshaping the industry's landscape.

Brian McCullough, the host of a daily tech news recap, dives into the dynamic world of AI competition, particularly analyzing OpenAI's strategic responses amidst growing rivals. He discusses the cultural impact of AI-generated art reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, sparking debates within the animation community. The conversation also navigates the ramifications of Corleaf's underwhelming IPO and the shifting investor landscape in AI tech, influenced by geopolitical changes. Expect insights on how these factors shape the future of innovation and tech dominance.

Episode 33: Overture (with the Internet History Podcast!)    Ben & David dive deep into the early days of internet search, with the help of the best in the internet history business: Brian McCullough from the Internet History Podcast! We are huge fans of IHP at Acquired, so this was a real treat to collaborate with Brian and the great work he does over there. In this episode we cover the story of how a small incubator in Southern California spawned perhaps the greatest tech business model of all-time, Yahoo!’s fumbling of that golden opportunity, and Google’s recovery of that fumble to cross into the end zone of tech history behind the biggest moat ever constructed on the internet.  Sponsors:Anthropic: https://bit.ly/acquiredclaude25Statsig: https://bit.ly/acquiredstatsig25ServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnMore Acquired!Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Merch Store!© Copyright 2015-2025 ACQ, LLCTopics covered include: Overture’s origins as part of the Idealab incubator run by famed early internet entrepreneur Bill GrossInvention of the paid search business model… initially by returning ADS ONLY in response to search queriesThe eventual marrying of Overture’s paid search (ads) with organic search results via syndication on other properties like Yahoo!Revenue from Overture’s ad partnership saving Yahoo!’s business after the internet bubble burst Yahoo!’s eventual acquisition of Overture for $1.4B in 2003 But… the really interesting story here: Overture’s 'inspiration' of Google’s business model and the creation of "the greatest advertising machine in the history of the world"The original (pre-Overture) Google business model: selling a box! Google’s differentiation vs Overture: focusing on the long tail, ad quality scores, and an advertiser-friendly auction structureGoogle’s first major search syndication victory over Overture: AOLYahoo!’s failed attempt to buy Google for $3B in 2002, leading it to settle for acquiring Overture instead the following year“Project Panama” at Yahoo!, and its impact on the tech and internet historyOverture's (and later Yahoo!’s) lawsuit against Google for stealing the paid search business model— "the O.G. version of Snapchat and Instagram”Paul Graham’s take on "What Happened to Yahoo?”Perhaps the most important technology to come out of this whole episode: HadoopThe power of incentive alignment in marketplaces— and creating the widest and deepest moats on the internet  The Carve Out: Ben: The famous University of Washington's “Love Lab” Dr. John Gottman: “The Secret to Love is Just Kindness”David: BerlinBrian: The Dark Valley: A Panorama of the 1930s

Brian McCullough, a seasoned tech podcaster, joins Dan Shipper, CEO of Every, and Ari Paparo, ad-tech expert and author. They dive into Nvidia's staggering $100 billion plan for OpenAI and the implications for AI investment health. The panel debates whether AI can replace valuable jobs and discusses the evolving role of LLMs in enterprise tools. They also argue about Gen Z's hiring struggles and the potential of AI-driven apps transforming industries. Plus, a new look at Meta's AI-generated short video feed and the ongoing antitrust challenges in tech.

Brian McCullough, author of "How the Internet Happened," dives into the internet's evolution alongside Chris Dixon. They explore how early internet skepticism turned into the successes of Google and eBay’s foundational role in establishing trust online. The duo discusses the cyclical nature of innovation and the challenges of tech adoption in modern times. They also highlight the connection between personal hobbies and technological breakthroughs, emphasizing the need for creativity to challenge norms and drive future advancements.

Brian McCullough, host of the Internet History Podcast, dives deep into the infamous AOL-Time Warner merger, widely viewed as a business blunder. He discusses the chaotic dynamics and cultural clashes that contributed to its failure, examining both the lofty aspirations and harsh realities of the merger. Brian also reflects on AOL's innovative rise in the '90s, its impactful strategies, and the cautionary lessons from the dot-com boom. Additionally, he debates the evolving relationship between content and distribution in today's tech landscape.

Brian McCullough, host of the Techmeme Ride Home and a partner at Ride Home Fund, dives into the latest in tech. He discusses OpenAI's exciting tease of GPT-5 and speculates on the implications of a potential GPT-6. The shift in partnerships between OpenAI and tech giants like Apple is examined, especially in relation to Siri's enhancements. Meanwhile, McCullough explores Elon Musk's ambitious plans for xAI and reflects on the growing loneliness in remote work, suggesting a balance with in-person connections and the role of technology in our lives.

Brian McCullough, tech journalist and host of Tech Brew Ride Home, Dan Shipper, CEO of Every focused on AI in business, and Ari Paparo, ad-tech expert and host of Markitecture, dive into Nvidia's staggering $100 billion investment in OpenAI. They explore the implications for AI competition, the potential for AI as coworkers, and the hype surrounding large language models. The panel also discusses the challenges Gen Z faces in the job market and critiques recent updates from Meta and Apple's AI initiatives.

Brian McCullough, an internet historian and venture capitalist, dives into the chaotic world of the dot-com bubble and its lessons for today’s AI boom. He discusses how market narratives can inflate stock valuations and why the impacts of innovation often overshadow necessary infrastructure. The conversation highlights Apple’s comeback from near-collapse, the evolution of Microsoft under Satya Nadella, and how tech giants exploited the aftermath of the bubble. McCullough’s insights bridge the past and present, revealing what the frenetic tech landscape can teach us.