Stratechery

Ben Thompson
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79 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 28min

Paradigm Shifts and the Winner's Curse

The conversation dives into the rapid shifts in the tech landscape, spotlighting the decline of giants like Microsoft and Nokia due to a lack of innovation. It contrasts their fate with adaptive success stories such as Google and Samsung. The discussion then transitions to the evolving AI infrastructure and its implications, highlighting the role of generative AI and the advancements in hardware performance. Lastly, it delves into how tech giants are navigating these disruptions, emphasizing the importance of staying adaptable in a turbulent environment.
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218 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 27min

Content and Community

Explore how digital technology is transforming the content industry, especially with AI reshaping creation and copyright challenges. Discover the historical evolution of copyright law and its implications for publishers navigating the digital landscape. Learn about innovative ideas like the Paper Crawl initiative, promoting fair compensation for creators. Finally, dive into the cultural significance of totem poles as a metaphor for community building in the digital age, highlighting the economic opportunities for content creators.
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235 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 23min

Tech Philosophy and AI Opportunity

Dive into the intriguing world of AI as it tackles the balance between abundance and scarcity, spotlighting soaring valuations of tech giants like NVIDIA. Explore the rivalry between major players like Apple and Meta, each pursuing unique AI philosophies. Discover how generative AI is reshaping traditional business models and the shifting landscape from Google searches to AI-driven assistants. Finally, the intense competition between OpenAI and Microsoft reveals divergent strategies that could redefine the workforce and economic landscape.
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341 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 26min

Checking In on AI and the Big Five

Dive into the shifting world of artificial intelligence and its impact on the tech giants. Discover how companies like Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon are navigating the evolving landscape. Learn about Meta's struggles and innovative strategies as they adapt to new challenges. The discussion also highlights AI's influence on traditional business models and the intense competition shaping the industry. Get insights into how these dynamics will redefine the future of technology.
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257 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 27min

Apple Retreats

The discussion kicks off with Apple’s WWDC event, where transparency takes center stage as they acknowledge past AI setbacks. There's a focus on the lukewarm reception of personalized Siri, marking a shift in developer engagement. The conversation then shifts to Apple's innovative blend of cloud services and hardware, introducing 'Liquid Glass' design and the idea of a dedicated Game Store. Antitrust laws come under scrutiny, revealing potential risks to Apple's service integration. Ultimately, Apple’s strategic adaptations in response to regulatory pressures are critically examined.
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180 snips
May 20, 2025 • 21min

The Agentic Web and Original Sin

Discover the impact of advertising as the foundation of the internet, and how it has shaped user experiences negatively. Explore the complexities of digital advertising and the challenges of finding sustainable content models. Delve into the declining ad-supported web's future amid the rise of apps and generative AI. Consider the importance of an open agentic web and innovative monetization strategies in the AI era, crafted to support content creators in a rapidly changing landscape.
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236 snips
May 5, 2025 • 18min

Platform Power Is Underrated

Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on the balance of power and responsibility in tech. Explore the controversial evolution of the App Store, highlighting Apple's restrictive practices and their impact on competition. Recent legal rulings are changing app purchase dynamics, offering new opportunities for developers. Discover how user demand drives platform innovation and the future of AI interfaces, particularly in smart glasses. The conversation critiques monopoly situations, advocating for reforms to foster fair competition in the tech landscape.
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205 snips
Apr 22, 2025 • 21min

Apple and the Ghosts of Companies Past

The podcast dives into Apple's current challenges, including rising manufacturing costs and AI hurdles, while assuring listeners it's not doomed. It examines the evolution of personal computing, contrasting Apple's and Microsoft's strategies. A critique of the Apple Vision Pro reveals potential pitfalls tied to traditional app interfaces. The discussion draws parallels with Intel's decline, emphasizing lessons in innovation and adaptability. Finally, it highlights the risks of reliance on China for manufacturing amid geopolitical tensions, suggesting strategic pivots for future success.
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211 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 25min

American Disruption

The discussion kicks off with a critique of oversimplified narratives surrounding U.S. technology and trade policies. The spotlight shifts to how smaller firms challenge major players in semiconductor manufacturing by targeting overlooked customer needs. The conversation delves into the move towards modular designs, enhancing speed and customization in product development. Job creation dynamics in manufacturing reveal the challenges of attracting workers. Finally, the complex ties between Apple and Chinese manufacturers illustrate the delicate balance necessary in global supply chains amid changing trade wars.
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190 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 18min

Trade, Tariffs, and Tech

Exploring the military and economic repercussions of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the discussion highlights the profound impact on global supply chains. The historical trade dynamics between the U.S. and China reveal the complexities of tariffs and their influence on manufacturing. A look back at the Nixon administration's bold economic policies sheds light on modern fiscal challenges. Finally, insights into the Trump-era trade policies and their effects on major tech firms illustrate the evolving landscape of tariffs and innovation.

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