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

What drove Marc Andreessen’s transformation into a political actor, and what is he looking for from having Washington in his thrall? Guest: Zoe Schiffer, WIRED journalist covering business and Silicon Valley. 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. Podcast production by Evan Campbell and Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Trump administration has already begun cutting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the U.S. National Weather Service. What’s the advantage to understanding the weather less? Guest: Daniel Swain, weather and climate scientist with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. 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

One of DOGE’s goals is to get government data out of “silos” and make it more easily shared across departments. But there are good reasons for some data to be kept apart. Guest: Vittoria Elliot, WIRED reporter covering platforms and power.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.Podcast production by Evan Campbell and Patrick Fort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If setting up a baby monitor in the room with your sleeping kids doesn’t allow you to pop out and enjoy the cruise ship, what are they actually good for?Guest: Stephanie Murray, writer for The Atlantic, the newsletter Family Stuff, who wrote “You’re on Vacation. You Leave Your Kid in Your Hotel Room With a Baby Monitor. What Could Go Wrong?” for Slate.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

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