TWIST News: The future of Netflix Live, The New FCC head, and Censorship

19 Nov 2024 (18 days ago)
TWIST News: The future of Netflix Live, The New FCC head, and Censorship

Intro and Jason's Rotator Cuff

  • The hosts, Jason Calacanis and Alex Wilhelm, discuss various topics, starting with Jason's experience with a rotator cuff injury, which he believes happened over a decade ago while trying to carry a heavy roller bag, and how he has been managing the injury through weights and kettlebells (42s).
  • Jason shares his approach to dealing with the injury, including taking 800 milligrams of Motrin to lower inflammation and icing the affected area (1m31s).

Netflix's Live Event and Other Topics

  • The conversation shifts to the main topics of the show, including Netflix's live event, the new head of the FCC, and censorship in the UK (2m7s).
  • The hosts discuss Netflix's live event, which featured a boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, and how it was a huge disappointment despite attracting a large audience (2m33s).
  • According to preliminary data, around 60 million households watched the event, with a peak of 65 million viewers (3m49s).
  • The hosts also mention other topics they will cover in the show, including the incoming head of the FCC, the former Uber exec who might head the Department of Transportation, and the performance of venture capital firms in exits (2m29s).

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Fight

  • Netflix's live streaming of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight reached a concurrent stream peak, with the undercard fight between Taylor and Serrano watched by 50 million households, which is believed to be the most streamed women's sports event in history (3m52s).
  • The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight was considered a disappointment, with many feeling it was a "fake fight" and a waste of time, as it was clear that Jake Paul was not fighting and Mike Tyson was unable to fight, with both fighters trading on Mike Tyson's reputation (4m45s).
  • Jake Paul reportedly earned $40 million for the fight, while Mike Tyson secured a $20 million deal (4m21s).
  • The fight was seen as a stress test for Netflix's live streaming capabilities, which ultimately failed, with many users experiencing issues (6m10s).

Netflix's Upcoming Live Events

  • Netflix has upcoming live events, including two NFL games on Christmas Day, which will feature the Chiefs vs. Steelers and Ravens vs. Texans (6m31s).
  • Netflix also has a deal with WWE to stream Monday Night Raw starting in January next year, marking a significant move into live sports (6m52s).

Fake Fights and Sports Betting

  • The concept of "fake fights" and exhibition matches, such as those promoted by Jake Paul, has raised questions about the authenticity of such events and the potential for betting on them (7m46s).
  • A recent fight between Jake Paul and a 60-year-old opponent has raised questions about the legitimacy of the match, with some speculating that it may have been a "fake fight" and that Jake Paul may have intentionally avoided knocking out his opponent due to respect, which could have implications for sports betting (7m48s).
  • Many people, including friends of the speaker, had placed large bets on the fight, with most of them betting on Jake Paul to win, and the outcome may have complicated the betting (8m36s).
  • The fight's massive viewership, potentially reaching 60 million people, could be a turning point for streaming services, which may need to pay attention to the potential for sports events to become as large as the Super Bowl if they are free and included in bundles (8m55s).

Sports on Streaming Services

  • Disney and Netflix, with their large subscriber bases, may need to consider bidding on sports events and including them in their services, as sports are a global language that can transcend cultural and language barriers (9m7s).
  • The inclusion of sports events in streaming services could potentially double or triple the viewership of NFL and NBA games, respectively, if they are made available without payment and with advertising (10m22s).
  • The current model of requiring payment for sports events, such as the NBA League Pass, may be throttling their potential viewership, and a shift to ad-supported models could be more effective in reaching a wider audience (10m39s).
  • The fight's lack of ads, but presence of sponsorships, highlights the potential for sports events to be sponsored by global brands, which could be a lucrative opportunity for streaming services (11m16s).
  • Netflix's live streaming is expected to have a significant impact on the sports industry, with the platform potentially becoming the home of the NBA or Major League Baseball, while Amazon and Apple will likely own the rights to the NFL and soccer, respectively (11m47s).
  • The fragmentation of sports streaming across different platforms can be frustrating for viewers, who may need to have multiple subscriptions to watch their favorite teams or leagues (12m12s).
  • The league pass model, where fans can pay a single fee to watch all games of a particular team or league, is seen as a more convenient and desirable option (12m52s).

Censorship and Editorial Steering in Sports Media

  • The current system, where different platforms own the rights to different sports and leagues, can lead to self-censorship or editorial steering, where announcers and reporters may avoid discussing certain topics or issues in order to maintain their contracts or relationships with the leagues (13m36s).
  • There is a concern that the concentration of sports streaming rights in the hands of a few large platforms could lead to a lack of critical reporting or investigative journalism, as announcers and reporters may be reluctant to criticize the leagues or teams that they are covering (13m45s).
  • The issue of censorship and self-censorship is not limited to sports, but can also be seen in other areas of journalism, where reporters and announcers may be reluctant to criticize their sources or the companies that advertise on their networks (14m19s).
  • The idea of a subscription-based model for sports streaming, where fans can pay a single fee to access all games and content, is seen as a potential solution to the current fragmentation and self-censorship issues (15m7s).

TechCrunch and Access Journalism

  • The historical home publication, TechCrunch, was chosen for its ability to reduce dependency on advertising incomes, which can fluctuate with the economy, and events advertising incomes, which can be unpredictable (15m10s).
  • TechCrunch hosts events around the nation and the world, but there's a natural tension between reporting on people and trying to get them to attend events, which can be seen as access journalism (15m34s).
  • This tension can impact journalists and publications, as seen in the example of Steve Jobs, who could make or break ticket sales for an event by attending or not attending (16m4s).
  • The business side and editorial side of a media company are typically distinct, but there can be tensions between the two, and destroying one's own income stream is not a viable option (16m43s).

Netflix's Live Streaming and Potential Ad-Based Tier

  • Netflix, as the largest online streaming company in the world, needs to improve its live streaming setup, which was poorly executed, and has the potential to maximize revenue by offering an ad-based tier (17m0s).
  • Netflix has 280 million subscribers globally, making it the largest subscription business outside of China, and could potentially reach 500-700 million subscribers with a free, ad-based tier (17m10s).
  • The company could offer a tiered system, with options for limited ads or no ads, and could learn from Spotify's example of a free tier with an enormous number of users in the advertising tier (17m53s).
  • The NFL's streaming deals, such as Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime and Sunday games on Paramount+ and Fox Sports, could also serve as an example for Netflix's future streaming strategy (18m41s).

NFL Streaming and Viewership

  • Monday Night Football was a phenomenon in the late 1970s, drawing large crowds to bars and boosting business, but its popularity has been diluted by the introduction of Thursday night and Saturday games (18m52s).
  • The NFL is the most popular thing on paid television, and its viewership is closely tied to the overall health of the TV industry (19m54s).
  • Netflix's decision to get into live events is seen as a brilliant move, as it allows the platform to drive intense conversation and communication among users, despite some initial streaming issues (20m6s).

Content Release Strategies and Bundling

  • Netflix's strategy of releasing entire series at once has disrupted the industry, but some users still prefer the incremental release model used by other platforms like HBO (20m30s).
  • The incremental release model can lead to more frequent and sustained engagement from viewers, as seen in the example of the show "Ghosts" (20m57s).
  • The media industry is currently experiencing another iteration of bundling and unbundling, with platforms experimenting with different models and ad-supported tiers (21m5s).
  • Some users, like the author, are less receptive to ads and are annoyed by the introduction of ads on services like Amazon Prime, which they have paid for without ads in the past (21m15s).

Spotify's Business Model

  • The author notes that Spotify is a huge business, with 343 million users, but does not elaborate on the relevance of this point to the rest of the discussion (22m0s).
  • Spotify has 61 million ad-supported monthly active users and 220 million paid subscribers globally, totaling nearly 600 million users between the two groups, with the potential for the company to reach a billion users in the future (22m2s).

Monetizing the AI Boom and Venture Capital

  • The current AI boom is being monetized through subscription-based services, with some companies able to avoid using ads due to significant growth and venture capital backing (22m27s).
  • Venture capitalists often allow companies with high growth rates to focus on growth without monetizing through ads, as this can lead to more significant ad revenue when the company eventually reaches a large user base (23m22s).
  • Companies like YouTube, Spotify, Google, Facebook, and Instagram have followed this model, with investors willing to wait for significant growth before expecting monetization (23m31s).
  • The idea of having a no-growth startup that doesn't charge users is not sustainable, but companies with industry-leading growth can earn the right to focus on growth without immediate monetization (24m9s).
  • Advertisers are likely to be attracted to companies with large user bases and significant growth, similar to how they are drawn to events like the Super Bowl (24m25s).

Celebrity Boxing and Netflix's Pay-Per-View Potential

  • A recent celebrity boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson drew a large audience, but it's unclear whether the event's success was due to the boxing match itself or Jake Paul's ability to attract attention (24m32s).
  • The success of the event raises questions about the potential for Netflix to adopt a pay-per-view model, especially if the company continues to invest in live events (25m38s).
  • Netflix has the ability to outspend everyone else in the live event market due to its large revenue, with 280 million paid subscribers generating around $40 billion in revenue per year (25m43s).
  • The company could potentially reduce churn by 1.5% by hosting live events, which would be equivalent to 4 million subscribers, making it economically viable to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on these events (26m25s).
  • The argument against adding live events to a paid subscription service is that it adds friction to the existing consumer experience, but Netflix's revenue and subscriber base make it a viable option (27m12s).

Acquiring Sports League Rights

  • The NBA's total revenue from games and licensing is unknown, but it's likely that a streaming service like Netflix or YouTube could offer a significant amount of money to acquire the rights to broadcast the league's games (27m55s).
  • The idea of a streaming service acquiring the rights to a major sports league like the NFL is becoming more plausible, and it could potentially lead to a significant increase in subscribers (28m36s).
  • The widespread adoption of smart TVs has made it easier for streaming services to broadcast live events, eliminating the need for additional devices like Apple TV or Roku (28m47s).
  • Netflix is considering a live streaming service, which could be beneficial for producing shows that are not economically possible with a paid subscription model, and could also be used to spread sports leagues globally with an ad-supported tier, potentially generating more revenue through advertising (29m32s).

Brendan Carr and the FCC

  • Brendan Carr, an FCC commissioner, is set to become the next chairman of the FCC, and his positions on issues such as government waste and TikTok have been noted, with some considering his appointment to be a positive development (30m15s).
  • Brendan Carr has expressed concerns about government waste, particularly in regards to rural broadband initiatives, which have been criticized for being inefficient and expensive, with some arguing that private companies such as Starlink could provide better and more cost-effective solutions (30m59s).
  • The current rural broadband initiative has been criticized for wasting taxpayer money, with some installations costing up to $30,000 per person, and has been canceled due to concerns about speed, despite Starlink and other satellite internet providers offering viable alternatives (31m5s).
  • Some argue that the government should not be involved in providing broadband services, and that the free market can solve the problem more efficiently, with companies like Starlink and its competitors already providing services to rural areas (32m7s).
  • Instead of spending billions of dollars on broadband initiatives, some suggest that the government could provide vouchers for low-income individuals to purchase satellite internet services, which could be a more cost-effective solution (32m44s).
  • The appointment of Brendan Carr as FCC chairman is seen as a positive development by some, who hope that he will help to reduce government waste and the size of government, and that his appointment could be an example of how to achieve this goal (33m9s).

Government Subsidies and EV Charging Stations

  • The government should not subsidize electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, as the free market has already made significant progress in this area, with many startups and companies investing in EV charging infrastructure, and consumers willing to pay for the service (33m27s).
  • Hotels are also willing to pay for EV charging stations to attract customers, and some have already installed Tesla and regular charging stations (34m7s).
  • The discussion touches on the FCC and its history, with a mention of the Starlink contract fiasco, which is available to read in the show notes (34m30s).

Brendan Carr's Views on Technology

  • Brendan Carr, the new FCC head, has expressed strong views on certain technology issues, including his stance on TikTok, which is in line with the discussion (34m57s).
  • Carr wrote the FCC chapter in the Project 2025 Manifesto, a document from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, which has some radical ideas that were disavowed by Trump (35m4s).
  • Carr's views on technology issues, as expressed in the manifesto, seem to contradict his supposed alliance with the tech industry, and his criticism of big tech companies like Google, Facebook, and YouTube, sounds similar to views held by Democrats (35m48s).
  • The discussion highlights the controversy surrounding government involvement in technology, and how Carr's views on this issue are surprising, given his background and supposed alliance with the tech industry (36m23s).

January 6th and Censorship

  • The January 6th incident at the US Capitol sparked concerns about potential civil war and mob behavior, with some protests turning violent, involving groups like antifa, a loose affiliation of individuals with similar philosophies (36m56s).
  • In response to these concerns, former President Trump was banned from all platforms for two years, and later had the bans lifted, due to worries that he might incite further violence (37m46s).
  • Republicans have not forgotten this incident and view it as a form of censorship, highlighting the hypocrisy in their stance on free speech, as they support private companies' right to regulate their services, but also want to hold platforms like YouTube and Facebook accountable for banning conservative views (38m10s).
  • The inconsistency in the Republican stance on free speech lies in their support for private companies' right to regulate their services, while also wanting to hold platforms accountable for banning certain views, with some arguing that these platforms have such a wide reach that they need to have a process for regulating content (38m48s).
  • The issue of platform accountability is centered around the banning of conservative views, with Republicans wanting to hold YouTube and Facebook specifically accountable for their content moderation decisions (39m31s).
  • Some argue that it would be better for platforms to have a clear process for adjudicating content moderation cases, but others believe that government involvement is not necessary, and that users can simply choose to use alternative platforms if they disagree with a company's policies (39m49s).
  • The debate around platform accountability and free speech is a long-standing issue, with some arguing that private companies have the right to regulate their services, while others believe that these platforms have a responsibility to protect users from harmful content (40m7s).

Platform Accountability and Free Speech

  • The issue is further complicated by the fact that different platforms have different policies around pseudonyms, with some allowing them and others not, giving users a range of options for how they want to engage online (40m17s).
  • The discussion touches on the shift in liberal and conservative positions, with the Republican party now embracing issues like removing chemicals from food and supporting the working man and Hispanic immigrants, while the Democratic party is trying to open up its tent and be more reasonable (40m45s).

Shifting Political Positions

  • The discussion touches on the shift in liberal and conservative positions, with the Republican party now embracing issues like removing chemicals from food and supporting the working man and Hispanic immigrants, while the Democratic party is trying to open up its tent and be more reasonable (40m45s).

EU Regulations and the FCC

  • The EU has a regulation called the "very large online platforms threshold" which brings on another set of regulations that impact those platforms, and the new head of the FCC seems to be endorsing a similar setup (41m36s).

Censorship and Consumer Choice

  • The conversation highlights the importance of nuanced discussions around censorship and free speech, citing the example of a bakery not wanting to make a cake for a gay couple, and how this is different from being banned from social media platforms (42m1s).
  • The discussion also touches on the idea of empowering consumers to choose their own content filters, and how this could be a solution to the issue of censorship on social media platforms (43m29s).
  • The idea of breaking Section 230 protection for companies that use algorithms to curate content is also discussed, with the suggestion that algorithms should be transparent and users should be able to choose between different algorithms or opt for a reverse chronological feed (43m46s).
  • The pro-business viewpoint is that companies should be allowed to set up their algorithms as they see fit, but this is at odds with the idea of telling companies how to run their business and ensuring that users have control over their online experience (44m26s).
  • Free speech is a non-partisan issue, and both American political parties claim to support it but often show inconsistency when it's inconvenient for them (44m48s).

Online Discourse and Toxicity

  • The experience on platforms like X can be degraded due to the prevalence of harsh comments, making it necessary to do more scrubbing and blocking, especially for users with a large following (45m22s).
  • The conversation on platforms has become less thoughtful, with many comments being brutal and personal attacks, making it less enjoyable for users (46m1s).

TikTok and Data Concerns

  • There are concerns about TikTok's trustworthiness with data, and some people, like Brendan Carr, advocate for divestment or banning the app (46m33s).
  • Trump has changed his stance on TikTok, and there's tension between his new position and Brendan Carr's views on the matter (46m52s).
  • Shareholders of TikTok, including Jeff Yas, reportedly want to maximize their profits and secretly want the company to be divested, but they lack the leverage to force China to do so (47m30s).
  • The tension around TikTok's ownership and potential divestment may be a strategic move to allow shareholders to sell their shares and avoid having the company banned or controlled by an adversary (47m45s).

UK Laws on Social Media Posts

  • The UK has laws that allow for the arrest of individuals for social media posts deemed as hate speech or inciting racial hatred, with examples including Jordan Parlor, who was jailed for 20 months for Facebook posts advocating an attack on a hotel in Leeds, and Tyler K, who called for mass deportation and violence against asylum seekers. (50m25s)
  • The Public Order Act of 1986 in the UK has two key sections, 19 and 21, which state that a person is guilty if they intend to stir up racial hatred through distributed written material or recorded content. (51m43s)
  • The laws in the UK regarding hate speech and online content are different from those in the US, with the UK having stricter regulations and consequences for individuals who post content deemed as hate speech or inciting violence. (50m6s)
  • The examples of individuals being arrested for social media posts in the UK are not limited to threats of violence, but also include posts that are considered hate speech or offensive, highlighting the differences in free speech laws between the UK and the US. (49m30s)
  • The issue of censorship and online content regulation is a topic of ongoing discussion, with concerns about the balance between free speech and the need to protect individuals and communities from hate speech and inciting violence. (49m24s)
  • In the UK, inciting racial hatred has been a punishable offense since 1986, but a recent case marks the first time a digital example has been brought to court, with the distinction being incitement to violence rather than hatred (51m56s).
  • The case involved a threat to burn down a hotel, which is considered problematic and could be seen as inciting violence, especially if a mentally ill person were to act on it (52m20s).
  • In the US, threatening the president or elected officials with harm can result in a visit from the Secret Service, and Eminem was visited by the Secret Service after releasing a song that included lyrics about harming the president (53m8s).
  • The critical difference between the UK and the US is that hate speech is protected in the US, but not in the UK, although both countries have a concept of "true threats" that can result in the loss of First Amendment protections (53m57s).
  • The US Supreme Court has ruled that true threats are not protected by the First Amendment, which is why threatening to burn down a hotel could be considered a true threat (54m20s).

UK vs. US Free Speech Laws

  • The UK has implemented rules to crack down on protesting and online speech, which have been criticized as censorship, but these rules were put in place by the conservative party, making it not entirely a partisan issue (54m41s).
  • The US system is considered better because it allows people to say what they want, while also allowing others to respond and choose not to associate with them (54m52s).
  • It is unlikely that comedians like Dave Chappelle would be arrested for performing comedy that includes jokes about ethnicities, gender, or sexuality in the UK, as UK comedy often pushes boundaries (55m19s).
  • In the UK, there appears to be a higher tolerance for certain types of jokes, such as those related to Gab, but less tolerance for jokes about Muslims or Islamic immigration (55m35s).

UK Case of Offensive Tweets

  • A 25-year-old man, Nathan Thompson, from Newcastle upon Tyne, received a 16-month suspended sentence for a series of offensive tweets that celebrated Adolf Hitler, Nazi Germany, and white supremacist mass murders, and promoted extremist right-wing material (56m22s).
  • The UK has laws that make it illegal to post such content, including a 1986 law that is not a recent development aimed at conservatives (56m55s).

Nazi Memorabilia and Cultural Exchange

  • Germany and France have specific laws regarding Nazi memorabilia and propaganda, reflecting their traumatic history, and these laws have led to issues with online marketplaces like Yahoo auction sites selling such items (57m16s).
  • The sale of Nazi memorabilia is allowed in the United States, but not in some European countries, raising questions about the regulation of such content (57m42s).
  • The influence of Nazi-era films, such as Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will," can be seen in other works, like the Stormtroopers in Star Wars, highlighting the complexities of cultural exchange and the need for sensitivity towards historical trauma (58m5s).

Evaluating Online Posts and Legality

  • The discussion highlights the importance of understanding the context and content of online posts when evaluating their legality and impact (58m58s).
  • A tweet was mentioned, but the actual content of the tweet was not shown, and it was described as "spicy" with the author trying to put a disclaimer on it by framing it as a hypothetical situation (59m2s).
  • In the UK, the defense of not knowing what one was doing is less accepted, and the language used in the tweet was more about not caring if a building burnt down rather than actively encouraging it (59m38s).

Emil Michael and the Department of Transportation

  • Emil Michael, a former Uber executive, is being considered for the role of Secretary of Transportation in the next administration, leading the Department of Transportation (DOT) (59m48s).
  • Michael was previously considered for the same role under the Trump administration but lost to Elaine Chao, and he is now at the top of the list for the position (1h0m11s).
  • Many people in the technology industry, including Elon Musk, are excited about the possibility of Michael taking on the role (1h0m24s).
  • Michael is known as an aggressive dealmaker who brought Uber to the Middle East and made significant deals as Travis Kalanick's right-hand man (1h0m31s).
  • Having a business executive like Michael in the position could be beneficial in getting things done, such as advancing high-speed rail, self-driving cars, or VTOLs (1h0m48s).
  • The DOT doesn't have control over everything, and many decisions are made at the local level, but having someone who can aggressively push for progress could be beneficial (1h1m7s).

Government Efficiency and Spending

  • Brendan Carr is also mentioned as someone who could bring efficiency to the government, and it's possible to appreciate the idea of less government and less spending without necessarily liking the Trump administration (1h1m29s).
  • The goal is to have people who can come in and make the government more efficient, but it needs to be done thoughtfully and through a process, rather than simply cutting things without consideration (1h2m16s).
  • The Department of Transportation (DOT) has 55,000 employees and a budget that was $8 billion in 2021, making it an interesting test case for efficiency and waste reduction (1h2m59s).
  • The DOT encompasses several agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (1h3m1s).
  • A significant percentage of waste could be cut from administrative agencies without impacting services, potentially making them more efficient (1h3m36s).
  • The estimated average waste that could be cut from agencies is around 35%, although this number may vary (1h4m31s).
  • The goal is to make targeted cuts to inefficient personnel and operations, rather than using a broad approach that might be less effective (1h4m49s).

Targeted Budget Cuts and Efficiency

  • Elon Musk's approach to cutting staff at Twitter, which involved thoughtful consideration and an open email to employees, is cited as an example of how to make targeted cuts (1h5m21s).
  • Musk's approach allowed employees who were mistakenly cut to appeal the decision and potentially be reinstated, demonstrating a willingness to correct mistakes (1h5m51s).
  • Elon Musk intervened to save the Community Notes team at Twitter, considering it essential, after some team members explained its importance to him (1h6m12s).

Community Notes and Twitter Layoffs

  • Community Notes is a vibrant feature where users can rate and vote on notes, and users can opt-in to participate by applying to be rated (1h6m53s).
  • A reduction in force at Twitter involved cutting 80% of staff, with managers asked to reduce their teams and employees given the option to opt-out of returning to the office (1h7m17s).
  • Remaining employees were given the opportunity to appeal their layoffs, with three employees successfully doing so and being rehired (1h7m53s).
  • The reduction in force resulted in a 17% saving of the personnel budget, which is seen as a significant but not material sum against overall outlays (1h8m10s).
  • Applying a similar reduction in force across the federal government could potentially lead to significant savings, but the impact on the overall debt would be limited (1h8m28s).
  • Cutting 5-10% of the budget each year would be a significant achievement and could help pay down the national debt (1h8m57s).
  • The focus on smaller budget cuts is seen as less important than addressing larger issues, such as not extending tax cuts, which could have a more significant impact on the national debt (1h9m24s).

Trump Administration's Potential Policy Changes

  • Trump's administration is expected to make significant changes, but the extent of these changes is uncertain, with the possibility of easing US rules for self-driving cars, and Emil Michael, who has experience with self-driving cars from his time at Uber, may take the lead on this issue (1h10m40s).
  • The Trump administration's potential easing of rules for self-driving cars could lead to the development of steering wheel and pedal-free self-driving cars (1h10m57s).
  • Trump won the election with a mandate, having won by three million votes and gaining control of all three branches of government, and his administration should be given a chance to implement their policies while being held accountable (1h11m11s).
  • The Democrats have not had control of all three branches of government since early in Obama's presidency, and it would be ideal if both parties could work together and succeed (1h11m56s).

ByteDance Valuation and Chinese Tech Regulations

  • The valuation of ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is still rising despite restrictions, possibly due to the company's solid business and a reflation of excitement for technology products in China (1h12m9s).
  • The Chinese government may be trying to re-inflate the economy by easing regulations on tech companies, but it is uncertain whether this will be successful (1h12m25s).
  • ByteDance's valuation has fluctuated over time, but the company is expected to retain some equity ownership even if TikTok is divested, and China's large market makes it an attractive place for investors despite regulatory issues (1h12m47s).
  • The market is pricing in a resolution to the regulatory issues surrounding ByteDance, with the company being considered "too big to ban" (1h13m4s).

Tracking Politicians' Promises

  • A proposed idea is to create a website that tracks the promises made by politicians, including quotes, dates, and progress over time, to hold them accountable for their commitments (1h13m40s).
  • This concept could be applied to various politicians, such as Trump, who promised to deport 15 million people, and could be tracked with a scorecard or progress report (1h14m24s).
  • PolitiFact, a nonprofit project operated by the Poynter Institute, has a Biden promise tracker that keeps tabs on the progress of his commitments, but its partisan leanings and effectiveness in vetting information are subject to scrutiny (1h15m1s).
  • PolitiFact is run by the Poynter Institute of St. Petersburg, Florida, which may have a left-leaning bias, but the organization provides information on its approach to data and decision-making, allowing users to vet the information independently (1h15m17s).
  • The idea of tracking politicians' promises is seen as a valuable tool for holding them accountable and providing transparency, and could be a startup idea worth exploring (1h13m55s).

Upcoming News and Show Topics

  • The discussion also touches on upcoming news stories, including Nvidia earnings and IPL action, which will be covered on the show (1h16m4s).

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