What Next: TBD | Tech, power, and the future

Paresh Dave, a senior writer at WIRED who specializes in tech, discusses the monumental antitrust trial against Meta. He delves into the implications of Meta's acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, questioning whether these moves created an illegal monopoly in social media. The conversation touches on the FTC's claims and the potential impact on Meta’s future, including a possible breakup that could cost significant ad revenue. Dave also highlights the ongoing tensions between big tech and government intervention, shedding light on the evolving landscape of digital power.

Sapna Maheshwari, a New York Times reporter focusing on technology and media, dives into TikTok's precarious situation amid U.S.-China tensions. She discusses the looming deadline for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban. Sapna highlights the app's explosive growth during the pandemic and the security scrutiny it has faced. The conversation also touches on TikTok’s complex negotiations with U.S. officials and the intricate dynamics of its algorithm, all against the backdrop of shifting political landscapes.

Jason Koebler, co-founder of 404 Media, discusses the intertwining fate of gaming and politics as President Trump's tariffs complicate Nintendo's launch of the Switch 2. He delves into the potential financial strain on gamers due to increased console prices and the strategic shifts in Nintendo's manufacturing from China to Vietnam and Cambodia. Koebler also touches on the broader implications of reshoring electronics manufacturing in the U.S. and highlights how these economic changes impact both major corporations and smaller firms in the tech landscape.

Felix Salmon, chief financial correspondent for Axios and co-host of Slate Money, dives into the peculiar bond between Wall Street and Elon Musk. Despite Tesla's recent struggles and Musk’s contentious persona, investors remain loyal. Salmon discusses Musk's unconventional leadership and his clever financial maneuvers that impact both his wealth and major financial institutions. He also highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by investors tied to Tesla's stock and the unpredictable dynamics that characterize Wall Street's relationship with this disruptive figure.

Makena Kelly, a Senior Writer at WIRED specializing in politics and technology, dives into the tumultuous world of DOGE and its ambitious plans with the Department of Health and Human Services. They discuss the emotional impact of mass layoffs on public health workers and the dire consequences of budget cuts. The conversation also explores the intersection of Dogecoin with political policies, the legal complexities of governmental operations, and the ongoing challenge of modernizing outdated tech systems. It's a thought-provoking look at the evolving governance landscape.

Ketamine has gone from a recreational psychedelic to an approved treatment, and it has caught on in Silicon Valley in a big way. Are the long-term effects of using ketamine—recreationally or therapeutically—sufficiently known? Are we witnessing them right now?Guest: Shayla Love, staff writer for the Atlantic.Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Memecoins are a niche type of cryptocurrency with no intrinsic value. But they remain a popular form of crypto, as seen earlier this year with President Trump’s own memecoin. And if it worked for him, then why not our little podcast? Guests: Azeem Khan, advisor to UNICEF’s crypto fund and cocreator of the blockchain Morph.Nitish Pahwa, Slate staff writer covering business and tech.Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During his first term, President Trump and Jeff Bezos openly sparred with each other. During this second administration, though, it seems like Bezos is trying to endear himself - and his companies - to the White House. So what changed?Guest: Dana Mattioli, reporter for the Wall Street Journal and the author of The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power.Special thanks to David Maraniss.Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Institutes of Health is the primary engine of biomedical research around the world, which makes the Trump administration's dramatic cuts to its grant program both confusing and potentially incredibly harmful.Guest: Katherine J. Wu, staff writer for the Atlantic.Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a Trump-friendly Supreme Court and a contentious relationship with the press, could Donald Trump follow through on his 2016 campaign goal of making it easier to sue media companies for libel—and imperil America’s free press?Guest: David Enrich, business investigations editor at the New York Times and author of “Murder The Truth.”Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices