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:Sentry: https://bit.ly/acquiredsentryServiceNow: https://bit.ly/acquiredsnHuntress: https://bit.ly/acqhuntressMore 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, 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.

Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a smart home expert at The Verge, shares insights on the quirky Roborock vacuum that occasionally snatches socks—and perhaps pets! Brian McCullough, the Internet historian, discusses the implications of Trump's tariffs on Apple’s manufacturing decisions. Mike Elgan, an AI enthusiast, dives into Microsoft's groundbreaking agentic AI advancements. They also explore the rise of hyper-realistic AI videos, the future of personal privacy in tech, and the decline of CAPTCHAs. It's a tech-infused dialogue brimming with wit and critical reflections!

Joining the discussion are Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a smart home reviewer from The Verge, Brian McCullough, host of the Tech Meme Ride Home podcast, and Mike Elgan, AI and tech blogger. They delve into Apple's predicament with potential tariffs on iPhones, which could reshape manufacturing in the U.S. The episode also showcases Microsoft's revolutionary AI breakthroughs, including a vacuum that picks up socks, sparking a fun debate on home automation. They further explore the future implications of AI in content creation and personal privacy.

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, 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.