More or Less - Dave Morin, Jessica Lessin, Brit Morin, and Sam Lessin

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**More or Less – Dave Morin, Jessica Lessin, Brit Morin, and Sam Lessin**

Dave Morin, Jessica Lessin, Brit Morin, and Sam Lessin have debated the future of Silicon Valley and tech as the closest of friends for the last 15 years. Now six companies, two venture funds and more than a decade at Google, Apple and Facebook later, they are opening up the debate. From The Information, Offline Ventures, and Slow Ventures.

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Latest Episodes:

#41: Is AI Killing Media? Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

Plus, Inside The Information's Creator Economy Summit and a new threat for OpenAI.

#42: OpenAI, IP Theft and a New Incentive Structure for the Internet Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

The gang unleashes some concerns following new revelations about how companies have been training their AI models. Plus, Netflix's Three Body Problem, The Information's Private Capital Conference and more.

#40: Reddit IPO, Apple v. DOJ and the Return of the Power Lunch Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

The gang discusses the new "risk on" vibe in Silicon Valley.

#39: How (Not?) to Exit Your AI Company, Analyzing the New Google-Apple Tie Up Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

Plus the Reddit IPO and Why Software Venture Capital is Getting Harder

#38: Hartz and Minds and TikTok w/ Special Guest Julia Hartz Mar 15, 2024

Show notes

From the “PAFACAA” bill to the next front of the youth loneliness epidemic, the gang and a special guest digest the tech news of the moment.

Takeaways

Eventbrite has the potential to offer features that help users find events to meet like-minded people.
Innovative event ideas, such as marking attendees' availability, can enhance the event experience.
Digital communities have faced challenges in the events space, with limited success on platforms like Facebook and Reddit.
The quality and curation of events play a crucial role in attracting attendees.
The impact of VR and AR on events is an area of interest and exploration.
Virtual events saw a significant rise during the pandemic but have declined since then.
The creator economy is a growing field with exciting opportunities for events and experiences.

Chapters

00:00:00 Doing It Live vs. Prep
00:00:30 Introducing Julia Hartz of Eventbrite
00:00:53 The Quirks of Zoom Interactions
00:01:12 The Heart Emoji Conundrum
00:01:27 Filling in for Brit
00:02:09 Discussing Brit's Iconic Glasses
00:02:42 Tech Headlines Preview
00:03:04 Julia Hartz in the Hot Seat
00:03:28 TikTok Ban Discussion Begins
00:04:31 Potential Global Impact of TikTok Ban
00:05:43 Process of Banning TikTok in the U.S.
00:06:39 The PUFACA Bill and TikTok
00:07:30 Jokes About the TikTok Bill Acronym
00:08:04 Custom Merchandise Ideas for PUFACA
00:08:34 Political Branding and TikTok
00:09:09 AOC's Vote Against TikTok Ban
00:09:33 Challenge of Explaining TikTok Ban to Public
00:10:13 Mental Health Impact of Smartphones on Youth
00:10:56 Shift in Chinese Government's Tech Strategy
00:11:19 Political Risks of TikTok Ban Before Elections
00:12:48 Possibility of TikTok Divestiture
00:13:04 Dating Scene and Event Trends
00:13:25 Resurgence of Live Experiences
00:14:21 Role of Eventbrite in the Event Ecosystem
00:15:40 Impact of COVID on Event Trends
00:16:24 Rise of Niche Events
00:17:56 Loneliness Epidemic and Finding Meaning
00:19:21 Future of Event Discovery and Participation
00:20:02 Role of Smartphones in Social Regression
00:21:13 Importance of Reparenting Ourselves on Smartphone Use
00:22:40 Resurgence of Live Events Post-COVID
00:23:44 Trend of Silent Book Clubs
00:24:39 Shift from Dating Apps to Real-Life Connections
00:25:22 Business of Event Ticketing and Discovery
00:26:18 Role of Facebook in Event Distribution
00:27:21 Challenge of Event Discovery Online
00:28:04 Importance of Highly Curated Events
00:29:10 Niche as the New Mass in Event Trends
00:30:21 Future of Eventbrite and Event Curation

#37: TikTok's Latest Crisis, Elon's Emails, AI Monopolies Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

A new idea for how to "ban" TikTok is gaining steam in D.C. while Elon (again) makes wakes. Plus, what the AI and ridesharing wars have in common.

Takeaways

The ban on TikTok and the regulation of Chinese apps are ongoing topics of discussion.
Apple could play a significant role in creating controls for parents to limit app usage, including Chinese apps.
Google has already taken steps to limit Chinese app access.
The US-China relationship and co-dependence pose challenges in addressing national security concerns.
More sophisticated and targeted regulatory approaches are needed to effectively address these issues. The ban on TikTok raises concerns about national security risks and the influence of Chinese-owned apps on American youth.
ByteDance's revenue growth highlights the company's success and the potential impact of a TikTok ban on its business.
Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI raises questions about the organization's mission and the transition from nonprofit to for-profit.
The influence of Elon Musk on the tech news cycle and the perception of his companies is a topic of discussion.
The future of electric vehicles faces challenges such as range anxiety and competition from other countries. Charging electric vehicles can be a challenge for some individuals, leading to discussions about alternative solutions.
Roving superchargers are a potential solution to address range anxiety and charging issues for EVs.
The AI venture capital race is compared to the ride-hailing wars, with concerns about market concentration and smaller investors being boxed out.

PCC: Who was the highest paid actor in 2023?

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Ban on TikTok

03:15 Regulating Chinese Apps

08:54 Apple's Role in Controlling Apps

16:21 Proposed Bill and Apple's Dilemma

18:18 Sophistication of Regulatory Efforts

19:07 The TikTok Ban

21:13 ByteDance's Revenue Growth

22:25 National Security Risks

26:19 Elon Musk's Lawsuit Against OpenAI

28:01 The Influence of Elon Musk

37:33 The Future of EVs

39:44 Charging Electric Vehicles

40:12 Alternative Solutions

40:46 The Future of EVs

41:20 Roving Superchargers

42:07 AI Venture Capital Race

43:13 Pop Culture: Highest-Paid Actors

45:40 Market Concentration in AI

52:31 Upcoming Events: Oscars and Tennis Tournament

#36: RIP Apple Car, Google's AI Reality Problem, Long Live Consumer Tech Mar 02, 2024

Show notes

Fresh from an investor conference in Los Angeles, the gang discusses the week's headlines and the behind-the-scenes scuttle from one of tech's elite gatherings.

Articles Discussed

How Apple’s Eight-Year Quest to Build a Self-Driving Car Hit Roadblocks

Consumer Startups Are a Better Bet Than Enterprise Startups

Show Notes

00:00:11 - Intro
00:01:33 - More or Less Business Models
00:03:15 - Upfront Summit Insights
00:04:21 - Event Networking Dynamics
00:04:56 - South by Southwest Comparisons
00:05:54 - Hollywood's Shift to AI for Scenes
00:07:41 - Upfront Summit vs. More or Less Podcast
00:08:02 - Football Docuseries Recommendations
00:09:29 - Vision Pro's Use Cases
00:10:15 - Apple's Electric Vehicle Project Shutdown
00:11:58 - Apple's Growth and Future Direction
00:13:32 - Big Companies and Market Mapping
00:15:16 - Apple's Approach to New Markets
00:17:29 - Apple's Retreat from the Car Business
00:18:08 - Apple's Focus on Personal Technology
00:19:23 - Self-Driving Cars and AI Challenges
00:20:03 - Apple's AI and Chip Future
00:21:29 - Google's PR Crisis with Gemini Chatbot
00:22:12 - The Liability of LLMs and AI Models
00:23:21 - Google's Response to Gemini's Issues
00:24:45 - Google's RoboCity and AI Testing
00:25:22 - Google's Next Moves After Gemini Backlash
00:26:50 - Apple's Next Trillion-Dollar Market
00:27:13 - Apple's Potential AI and Software Focus
00:28:08 - Clarifying Apple's Mission with Personal Tech
00:29:02 - Apple's Strategy and Spatial Computing
00:30:07 - Tech Industry's Business Cuts
00:31:01 - Meta's Oculus and Business Decisions
00:33:47 - Pixel Fold's Popularity
00:34:57 - Pop Culture Corner and Taylor Swift's Influence on Camera Sales
00:37:25 - Suits Spinoff in Los Angeles
00:38:44 - Kate Middleton's Hospital Stay?
00:40:07 - Petty Crime Podcast Idea
00:41:58 - Consumer vs. Enterprise Tech Returns Debate
00:43:10 - AI's Impact on Consumer Tech Revolution
00:44:39 - Wrap Up

#35: 2024 IPO Dreams, Apple's Sports Game and Reddit's Biz Gamble Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

Plus, inside Sequoia's Klarna drama and the latest AI demos

Show Notes

00:00 Introductions

03:00 The Potential of Reddit Advertising

09:00 Licensing Data and Monetization Challenges

13:00 The Moderation Challenge of Reddit

18:00 Private Group Moderation and Content Control

22:00 Failed Coup at Klarna

26:00 Tensions and Divisions in Late-Stage Pre-IPO Companies

30:00 The OpenAI Board Situation

31:00 Apple's New Sports App

33:12 Moon Landing and Advertising

33:45 Tech Companies and NBA Streaming Rights

34:27 Betting Odds in Digital Formats

36:15 Frequent Sports Betting

37:03 Tennis and Sports Rights

37:41 Pop Culture Corner: Movies and Oscars

40:00 Beyonce's Country Song and Marketing

43:02 OpenAI's Sora and Marketing Strategies

44:41 The Importance of Marketing in Startups

50:47 Building Trust through Individuals

53:24 Community Building and Brand Ownership

#34: 7 Trillion Reasons Why Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

The gang unpacks all the latest news about OpenAI and Sam Altman. Plus, does Google have a shot in AR/VR? And our dream Vision Pro apps.

Takeaways

Sports media has become a successful form of linear storytelling in the internet age, creating a national monoculture.
The globalization of sports presents challenges in creating a unified global sports event.
The Vision Pro and Quest devices offer different experiences, with the Vision Pro being more suitable for work and the Quest providing a more immersive gaming experience.
There is a debate on the potential role of Google in the face computer market, with some believing that Google's strategy may not be successful.
The Vision Pro and Quest strategies have different focuses, with the Vision Pro being more spatial computing oriented.
The potential of spatial computing and its impact on social software is a topic of interest and exploration.
Communication and social interaction in the Vision Pro present challenges that need to be addressed.
There is excitement and positive impressions of the Vision Pro, with potential for professional and enterprise applications.
Agents and their role in AI are gaining attention, with potential for enhancing various tasks and workflows.
OpenAI's plan to raise $7 trillion for AI chips is seen as absurd and lacking credibility.
Tech leaders making outrageous statements can harm the perception of the tech industry and overshadow the serious work being done.
The episode highlights the need for rational and disciplined business practices in the tech industry.

Show Notes

00:00:46 - Introduction and Welcome

00:00:57 - The Full Quad Gathered

00:02:50 - AI News Discussion

00:03:02 - Vision Pro Analysis

00:03:45 - Missed Pop Culture Corner

00:04:58 - Superbowl and Taylor Swift Discussion

00:07:40 - Brock Purdy's Super Bowl Performance

00:08:26 - Sports Documentary Entertainment Genre

00:10:52 - Sports Media as the Final Frontier

00:12:13 - National vs. International Sports

00:13:06 - The Monoculture of Sports

00:14:04 - NBA and Global Sports Tournaments

00:15:00 - The Flailing Olympics

00:15:41 - The Decline of Olympic Storytelling

00:17:14 - AI News and Vision Pro

00:17:43 - Vision Pro vs. Oculus

00:18:06 - Vision Pro as a Work Machine

00:18:17 - Oculus Content and Games

00:18:49 - Camera and Social Potential

00:19:20 - Spatial Computing

00:20:24 - Google's XR Software Shift

00:21:19 - Android vs. iOS in XR Space

00:25:01 - Content-Driven Business Models for XR

00:25:43 - Vision Pro's Unique Position in XR

00:26:09 - The Potential of the Spatial Internet

00:29:05 - Social Software Challenges

00:35:20 - Developer and Creator Interest in Vision Pro

00:38:03 - Zillow Gone Wild and Vision Pro Ideas

00:38:44 - Music Video Apps

00:39:45 - Gaming and Social Apps

00:41:37 - Professional Apps

00:42:07 - Aviation Apps

00:45:59 - AI News

00:46:23 - OpenAI's Agent

00:46:46 - Brett Taylor's New Company Launch

00:47:17 - OpenAI Search Product

00:49:20 - Google's AI Rebranding to Gemini

00:51:34 - OpenAI's $7 Trillion Semiconductor Funding Strategy

00:53:43 - The Era of Absurdist Capitalism?

00:54:03 - The OpenAI Governance Crisis

00:55:11 - A Rational Comparison to the US Budget

01:00:15 - The Tree Removal Story

01:02:09 - Episode Wrap-Up and Thanks

#33: Yes/No, Vision Pro? w/Special Guest Brian Singerman of Founders Fund Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

As the Morin household goes full Vision Pro, the gang reveals what everyone is missing about the device. Plus, the earthquake through digital media and (maybe) the end of AI everything.

Takeaways

The Apple Vision Pro offers a truly immersive and transformative experience, changing the way users think about computing.
The Vision Pro represents a new computing paradigm and has the potential to expand into various devices and accessories.
Developers will play a crucial role in exploring and innovating new use cases for the Vision Pro.
The joint streaming service for sports by major networks reflects the significance of sports in the media industry and the growing demand for streaming sports content. Streaming services are disrupting the traditional cable industry, but the challenge lies in the fragmentation of content and the lack of a comprehensive aggregator.
The demand for a comprehensive sports package remains high, as sports fans struggle to find a streaming service that offers all the games they want to watch.
Esports has not yet reached its full potential in the United States, as it lacks the community engagement and water cooler conversations that traditional sports have.
The venture capital industry is constantly evolving, but the key to success remains investing in the few companies that truly matter.
AI is no longer a standalone category in venture capital, but rather a tool that is integrated into various industries and sectors.

Show Notes 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest 03:01 Discussion on Apple Vision Pro 11:00 Impressions and Potential of Apple Vision Pro 17:26 Competition and Future of Apple Vision Pro 25:08 Developer Perspective on Apple Vision Pro 34:48 Discussion on Joint Streaming Service for Sports 35:44 Streaming and the Cable Industry 36:13 Challenges of Streaming Bundles 37:40 Need for a Sports Package 39:05 Competition and Market Share in Streaming 41:37 Future of TV News 43:24 Challenges of Esports 50:28 The Changing Landscape of Venture Capital 52:06 Evolution of AI in Venture Capital

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