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

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

The public’s anger towards Elon Musk and DOGE has found an outlet in the form of Musk’s car company Tesla. How long can the company put up with a sinking reputation and stock price? Guest: Pranshu Verma, tech reporter for the Washington Post. 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

After the election, Mark Zuckerberg announced that he was doing away with Facebook’s fact-checking apparatus in the US. With content creators getting paid based on reach, and content spreading wider and faster the more extreme it is, is Facebook the perfect environment for misinformation to flourish? Guest: Craig Silverman, technology reporter for ProPublica.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

Elle Reeve, a CNN correspondent known for her insights on far-right movements and the 2017 Unite the Right rally, dives deep into the digital roots of extremism. She discusses the alarming shift from online trolling to real-world violence, particularly at Charlottesville. Reeve connects the evolution of communities like 4chan to the rise of ideologies that now permeate mainstream discourse. The conversation also highlights how these online dynamics influence political narratives today, especially regarding the Trump administration and beyond.

Dr. Jada Thompson, an agricultural economics expert from the University of Arkansas, dives into the causes behind skyrocketing egg prices. She explains how a bird flu outbreak decimated poultry, leading to severe supply shortages. The discussion also touches on the strategies used to manage the crisis, including culling and biosecurity measures, and highlights the unusual price discrepancies between eggs and chicken. Dr. Thompson offers insights into the future of egg pricing and the challenges that lie ahead for the industry.

Ryan Mac, a tech reporter at the New York Times and co-author of "Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter," dives into the turmoil within the U.S. Digital Service following mass resignations over leadership changes. He discusses the challenges of transparency and accountability amidst pressure from new directives. The conversation also covers the political repercussions of these events, the role of social media in shaping public perception, and the looming threat of a government shutdown, all in the shadow of Musk’s influence.

David Yaffe-Bellany, a reporter from The New York Times covering cryptocurrency, dives deep into the complex ties between Donald Trump and the crypto world. They discuss the extravagant crypto ball before Trump's inauguration, where moguls mingled with political elites. The launch of the 'Trump' memecoin sparks excitement among investors but raises questions about speculation and legitimacy. Yaffe-Bellany also examines regulatory challenges facing the industry and the systemic risks posed by meme coins in the volatile market.

Max Chafkin, features editor at Bloomberg Businessweek and co-host of the Elon, Inc. podcast, dives into the contradictions of Elon Musk's relationship with government funding. They discuss Musk's fervor for reducing government spending while receiving billions in federal aid for his companies. The conversation explores his significant layoffs and strategic maneuvers that impact federal employees, alongside his vision for America shaped by technology. Chafkin highlights the potential societal changes spurred by AI and the tension between Silicon Valley and government oversight.

Chris Hayes, MSNBC news anchor and author of "The Siren's Call," dives deep into the crisis of social attention in our tech-saturated world. He discusses how algorithms shape superficial interactions and the psychological toll of seeking validation on social media. With relatable party anecdotes, Hayes explores how modern distractions hijack our focus and offers insights into balancing social engagement with meaningful discourse. He also highlights the necessity of solitude and reflects on how attention dynamics influence media and society.