Down Round

Where do we begin with this mess?The world's second biggest exchange, and crypto's golden boy has collapsed in a matter of days - from $36b to nothing.Even by crypto standards this story is absurd. Allow us to take you through it.LinksThe FTX "balance sheet"How Sam Bankman-Fried’s Crypto Empire Collapsed – NY Times This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Airbnb sort of sucks now, and it seems like the company realises it. It has announced guest-friendly changes, but are they enough?Raph and James dive into all the thorny problems surrounding the company, and come to a final decision on whether you should be forced to do the dishes in your Byron Bay short-term stay. (The answer is no.) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The EU is forcing Apple change its iPhone cable, and they’re huffy even though they were definitely going to do it anyway. The boys discuss European regulation more generally. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A recent series of high-profile hacks of Australian companies including Optus and Medibank have people worried about user data and privacy.  Given Raph and James are both terminally chill about their own data, they brought on someone who actually knows what they're talking about: ABC journalist Ariel Bogle.Links The biggest hack in history: Australians scramble to change passports and driver licences after Optus telco data debacle – The Guardian ‘The damage here is potentially irreparable’: Scale of Medibank hack worsens – Sydney Morning Herald Critics say more needs to be done to stop the next Optus or Medibank style of data breach – ABC This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon's first few days at Twitter HQ have been eventful.  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Productivity software. Our many and valued white collar listeners will know it very well. But will they be able to respect Microsoft Teams after the Down Round boys give it a skewering? This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music are changing the way music is made. We discuss. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've plugged into blockchain metaverses, but how is Facebook/Meta's multi-billion dollar attempt going?Company Documents Show Meta’s Flagship Metaverse Falling Short - Wall Street Journal ($) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kanye says he's going to buy Parler, the 'free speech'-focused Twitter clone. But more broadly, what is a platform's responsibility when it comes to removing speech? Do we want our tech overlords to determine what is allowed to be said and what isn't? If not them... then who?  This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is once again all the rage – with investor money, engineering talent and media interest flooding into the sector once again. What does the future hold?Dan Nolan, notorious poster and AI entrepreneur, joins us to discuss. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit downround.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.