More or Less

By 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... more

· Technology

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FAQs about More or Less:

How many episodes does More or Less have?

The podcast currently has 94 episodes available.

More or Less episodes:

April 19, 2024 #43: TikTok’s New App, Tesla’s Sunken Stock, Are Tech Workers Leaving Silicon Valley For Good?
Plus, power shifts in social and why you should pay attention to the new Taylor Swift album.
...more
1h 2min
April 19, 2024 #41: Is AI Killing Media?
Plus, Inside The Information's Creator Economy Summit and a new threat for OpenAI.
...more
53min
April 12, 2024 #42: OpenAI, IP Theft and a New Incentive Structure for the Internet
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.
...more
52min
March 29, 2024 #40: Reddit IPO, Apple v. DOJ and the Return of the Power Lunch
The gang discusses the new "risk on" vibe in Silicon Valley.
...more
54min
March 22, 2024 #39: How (Not?) to Exit Your AI Company, Analyzing the New Google-Apple Tie Up
Plus the Reddit IPO and Why Software Venture Capital is Getting Harder
...more
50min
March 15, 2024#38: Hartz and Minds and TikTok w/ Special Guest Julia Hartz
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
...more
57min
March 08, 2024#37: TikTok's Latest Crisis, Elon's Emails, AI Monopolies
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
...more
55min
March 02, 2024 #36: RIP Apple Car, Google's AI Reality Problem, Long Live Consumer Tech
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
...more
1h 3min
February 23, 2024 #35: 2024 IPO Dreams, Apple's Sports Game and Reddit's Biz Gamble
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

...more
53min
February 16, 2024#34: 7 Trillion Reasons Why
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
...more
1h 4min

FAQs about More or Less:

How many episodes does More or Less have?

The podcast currently has 94 episodes available.

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