

Stratechery
Ben Thompson
Content from Stratechery, via podcast or RSS
Episodes
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18 snips
Dec 5, 2023 • 18min
Regretful Accelerationism
The podcast tackles the controversial rise of AI-generated content in journalism, highlighting challenges to authenticity and quality. It scrutinizes the digital versus physical reality dichotomy amid an energy crisis, and discusses how programmatic advertising impacts content creators. The rise of generative AI brings issues of inaccuracies, affecting social media interactions and SEO integrity. Finally, it advocates for subscription models over ad-supported media, aiming to enhance accountability and foster a deeper understanding of public discourse.

11 snips
Nov 20, 2023 • 21min
OpenAI's Misalignment and Microsoft's Gain
Delve into the recent leadership chaos at OpenAI, revealing the surprise exit of its CEO and the rise of a new leader. Discover the nonprofit motivations behind AI advancements and the challenges of a corporate shift toward profit. Examine the dynamics of OpenAI's strategic partnership with Microsoft and how it may reshape the AI landscape. The discussion also highlights the erosion of trust within OpenAI and the shifting power dynamics that could influence the future of technology and innovation.

12 snips
Nov 7, 2023 • 23min
The OpenAI Keynote
The transformation of tech keynotes over the years takes center stage, highlighting AI's evolving role. Key moments from the OpenAI Developer Conference showcase thrilling innovations in AI and hardware. There's a focus on enhancements in the GPT-4 API, fostering developer creativity and collaboration with Microsoft. Discussions on the Code Interpreter illustrate its advanced capabilities, while consumer behavior’s impact on technology decisions is examined. Lastly, the balance between convenience and accuracy in AI interactions is explored, reflecting the complexities in the tech landscape.

13 snips
Nov 1, 2023 • 19min
Attenuating Innovation (AI)
The podcast kicks off with a look at Microsoft's past struggles with mobile OS and antitrust issues, contrasting its design philosophy with Apple's. It transitions to the evolution from PCs to smartphones, showcasing how one company foresaw market demands while another faltered. The discussion continues with the merging of technologies and the urgency for effective AI regulation. Major tech firms' strategies around AI are scrutinized, alongside a critique of new regulations that may stifle innovation instead of promoting it, emphasizing the need for a positive outlook on AI advancements.

8 snips
Oct 18, 2023 • 13min
China Chips and Moore's Law
Explore the nuances of Moore's Law as it relates to the latest advancements in semiconductors. Discover the fallout from U.S. export restrictions on AI chips and how companies like NVIDIA are adapting. Dive into the geopolitical tensions that shape the future of computing power and the implications for global technology markets.

9 snips
Sep 28, 2023 • 14min
AI, Hardware, and Virtual Reality
Discover how AI, hardware, and virtual reality are reshaping the Technology, Media, and Telecom sectors. Explore the updated Meta Smart Glasses that integrate AI for hands-free interaction and enhance daily usability. Learn about the collaborative efforts among industry leaders to create innovative AI hardware devices, pushing the boundaries of user experience. This dialogue also highlights the synergy between AI and virtual reality, suggesting a future where both technologies elevate one another beyond current possibilities.

7 snips
Sep 12, 2023 • 12min
Charter-Disney Winners and Losers
The discussion kicks off with a crucial agreement between Disney and Charter, ending a major channel blackout for subscribers. The negotiation dynamics reveal Charter's leverage, while questioning Disney's adaptability in a changing media landscape. A deep dive into the value of bundling showcases a strategic shift that could benefit consumers. Finally, the podcast analyzes how consumer preference for ad-free content is reshaping TV and broadband competition, leaving traditional cable providers scrambling to keep up.

13 snips
Sep 5, 2023 • 25min
The Rise and Fall of ESPN's Leverage
Explore the fascinating evolution of ESPN's negotiating power in the cable TV landscape. Discover how satellite technology propelled ESPN from local content to national prominence. Delve into the network's transformative 1980s shift to a subscriber model and the high-stakes battles for broadcasting rights. Uncover the ongoing tensions between cable providers and media giants as they face streaming challenges. This deep dive illustrates the crucial adaptations needed in an ever-changing media environment.

9 snips
Aug 28, 2023 • 15min
Nvidia On the Mountaintop
Explore NVIDIA's impressive revenue growth, driven by the booming interest in artificial intelligence. Dive into a comparative analysis of NVIDIA and Cisco, revealing their different market trajectories. Discover how NVIDIA is revolutionizing AI technologies and influencing industries with tools like ChatGPT. Learn about the shift towards accelerated computing and generative AI, highlighting the cost efficiencies and performance gains in data centers.

8 snips
Aug 15, 2023 • 14min
Disney's Taylor Swift Era
Explore the whirlwind of Taylor Swift's concert impact, uniting generations in a post-pandemic world. Discover how social media fuels the excitement of live performances while Swift reshapes the music industry's dynamics. Delve into the digital transformation of music value, highlighting the challenges artists face in revenue generation. Finally, analyze Disney's pivot from streaming to real-life experiences, showcasing its unique business model and exploring how it contrasts with competitors like Netflix.