Decoder with Nilay Patel

Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, is at the forefront of self-driving technology and urban mobility. She discusses the exciting journey of deploying autonomous taxis in cities, tackling regulatory hurdles, and the challenges of real-world testing. The conversation dives into the impact of Tesla's self-driving features and how they complicate industry perceptions. Mawakana also shares insights on partnerships with car manufacturers and innovative designs that anticipate a new era of transportation, redefining how we view mobility in our everyday lives.

John Carreyrou, the investigative journalist who exposed the Theranos scandal while at the Wall Street Journal, shares his insights on the ongoing saga of Elizabeth Holmes. He discusses the ethical challenges in tech startups and the toxic culture at Theranos. Carreyrou examines the courtroom dynamics of Holmes's trial, revealing the tension between prosecution and defense. He dives deep into the legal strategies at play and the emotional impact on affected patients, all while reflecting on his long journey of reporting this dramatic story.

We talk a lot about the creator economy here on Decoder and one thing we’ve learned from all those conversations is that the creator economy is a market just like any other, with supply and demand, but that it’s also a market that is absolutely starved of information. So today I’m talking to Lindsey Lee Lugrin, the co-founder and CEO of a new platform called Fuck You Pay Me, which is an all-time great company name. FYPM is an app for creators to review and compare brand deals: what brands are paying, what it’s like to work with them, and whether people would work with them again. It’s kind of like Glassdoor or Yelp for influencers.LinksThe quirks and features of YouTube car reviews with Doug DeMuro https://www.theverge.com/22637871/doug-demuro-car-reviews-youtube-decoder-interviewAdvertising is complicated, but Melissa Grady is very good at it https://www.theverge.com/22174582/decoder-podcast-interview-cadillac-cmo-melissa-grady-advertisingYouTube chief product officer Neal Mohan on the algorithm, monetization, and the future for creators https://www.theverge.com/22606296/youtube-shorts-fund-neal-mohan-decoder-interviewThe App With the Unprintable Name That Wants to Give Power to Creators https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/02/technology/fypm-creators-app-pay.htmlIntroduction to smart contracts https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/smart-contracts/The golden age of YouTube is over https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/5/18287318/youtube-logan-paul-pewdiepie-demonetization-adpocalypse-premium-influencers-creatorsTranscripthttps://www.theverge.com/e/22448278 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charlie Harding, co-host of Switched on Pop and music industry aficionado, dives into the complexities of songwriting credits in the modern music world. He discusses Olivia Rodrigo’s debut album 'Sour' and her ongoing adjustments to songwriting credits, shedding light on the struggles of new artists navigating copyright laws. The conversation also explores the nuances of musical borrowing, the implications of historical legal battles, and how these issues shape the creative landscape for songwriters today.

Zoë Schiffer, Senior reporter at The Verge, known for her insights on Apple's workplace culture, dives into the evolving dynamics at Apple. She discusses how Slack has become a vital platform for employees to express concerns about pay equity and remote work policies. Employees are pushing for greater transparency and inclusivity, amidst rising discontent and advocacy for change. Schiffer highlights the challenges faced by employees in discussing sensitive topics like pay and the increasing push toward empowerment and potential unionization in the tech industry.

Dr. Willy Shih, a Harvard Business School professor and semiconductor expert, dives into the global chip shortage that has crippled various industries since the pandemic. He discusses how the imbalance between supply and demand has left major automakers with unfinished vehicles and limited availability of consumer electronics. Shih emphasizes the importance of TSMC and the complexities of semiconductor manufacturing. He also reveals the challenges and financial hurdles of U.S. semiconductor production in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Doug DeMuro, a renowned YouTuber and founder of Cars and Bids, shares his decade-long journey reviewing cars on YouTube. He delves into the economics of content creation and discusses the shift from blogs to engaging videos. The conversation highlights the challenges of maintaining integrity in reviews while navigating brand influences. Doug also explores the complexities of car culture, the impact of tech on reviews, and the unique audience dynamics in the automotive world, making us rethink how we perceive car media.

Bryan Salesky, co-founder and CEO of Argo AI, brings a wealth of experience from Google and Uber to the table. He shares insights on Argo's new robotaxi fleet in Miami and Austin, emphasizing how the pandemic has sped up the demand for self-driving tech. The discussion dives into how partnerships with Lyft aid in collecting real-time rider feedback. Salesky also addresses the pivotal role of 5G in enhancing self-driving capabilities and explores the future of urban mobility, touching on safety concerns and the evolving relationship between tech companies and automakers.

In this intriguing discussion, Riana Pfefferkorn, a research scholar on encryption policy, and Jennifer King, a fellow in privacy and data policy, dive deep into Apple's new child safety features. They unpack the shift from cloud to device-based image scanning and its implications for user privacy. The guests highlight tensions between protecting children from online abuse and safeguarding user rights, examining the complexities and ethical concerns of leveraging technology for safety. Their insights raise critical questions about future digital rights and the balance between safety and privacy.

Neal Mohan, YouTube's Chief Product Officer, dives into the platform’s expansive role in the creator economy. He discusses a new $100 million fund for YouTube Shorts, emphasizing its competition with TikTok. Mohan highlights YouTube’s booming advertising revenue, surpassing even Netflix, and the complexities of supporting diverse creators while navigating algorithm challenges. He also explores innovative monetization strategies and future enhancements aimed at enriching the creator experience, shedding light on the intricate balance of user trust and content moderation.