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Every Tuesday and Friday, tech journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Professor Scott Galloway offer sharp, unfiltered insights into the biggest stories in tech, business, and politics. They make bold predictions, pick winners and losers, and bicker and banter like no one else. After all, with great power comes great scrutiny. From New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Big Tech Earnings, College Admissions Controversies, and UFOs
Kara and Scott talk about the latest interest rate hike, Mitch McConnell’s health scare, and whether the aliens are finally here or not. Plus, it’s earnings season, and the AI effect is making money moves for Big Tech. Then, should colleges do away with legacy admissions? And a listener question about the future of EV charging.
We’ve got some more listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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56:4528/07/2023
The X Factor, AI Guardrails, and a Barbenheimer Post-Mortem
Kara and Scott discuss a huge weekend at the box office, and Jeff Bezos' renewed interest in The Washington Post. Plus, WTF is Elon doing with his Twitter re-brand? Also, Big Tech agrees to some AI safety commitments, will they be enough? Friend of Pivot Alondra Nelson led the development of the Biden Administration's Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, she joins us to discuss.
You can find Alondra on Twitter…or X…at @alondra.
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01:10:1025/07/2023
Barbenheimer, AI in the Newsroom, and Scott Doubles Down
Kara's got the latest from the Barbie premiere, where YES she saw Mr and Mrs. Gaetz. Scott has some more thoughts on who the real enemy is in the Hollywood strikes (and it's not him!) The government has Big Tech in its crosshairs with the latest proposed M&A guidelines, Google pitches an AI news writing product, and Scott really does think Trump will drop out. But above all, stick around for the listener mail from 10-year-old Henry, who's ready to make some money on the stock market.
We’ve got some more listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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50:2621/07/2023
Bob Iger’s Rough Ride, Record-Breaking Heat Waves and Guest Ashlee Vance
Kara and Scott discuss Tesla’s Cybertruck, Tucker Carlson’s new media company, and a drop in Threads engagement. Also, Bob One’s contract has been extended after a rough first year, and SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher has him in her crosshairs. Plus, Earth is experiencing its hottest days on record. What does that mean for politics and infrastructure? Then we’re joined by Friend of Pivot Ashlee Vance to talk all things space and Elon Musk.
You can find Ashlee on Twitter at @ashleevance and can buy his book here.
We’ve got some more listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:17:0818/07/2023
Zuck's Second Chance, Lina Khan's Losing Streak, and More
Kara and Scott discuss actors joining writers on the picket line, and Ticketmaster vs. Taylor Swift fans, again.* Also, Threads hit 100 million users in just five days, does its success give Mark Zuckerberg a chance to atone for the sins of his other products? Or will Elon Musk just drag him down into a *checks notes* “literal dick measuring contest.” Plus, the FTC is on an antitrust losing streak, and a listener disagrees with Kara on nuclear energy.
You can listen to Kara’s interview with Jake Tapper here.
We’ve got some more listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
*Ticketmaster's statement re: Taylor Swift ticketing in France:
The onsale date and time for Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour in France is being rescheduled and tickets are still available. This sale was disrupted by an issue with a third-party provider and they are working to resolve this matter as soon as possible.
As soon as we saw fans experiencing issues, queues were paused. All codes that were not used to purchase tickets today will remain valid. Fans previously selected to participate in the onsale will be notified directly of the new onsale date and time.
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01:12:0614/07/2023
Tesla’s Chargers, The Writers’ Strike, and What Global Policies Will Save the World
Will Tesla’s Charging network provoke the FTC? Can writers take control of their intellectual property? Can our electrical infrastructure support EV expansion? And what global policies could help us prevent technological disaster? Kara and Scott open the listener mailbag…and find Scott a new nickname in the process.
We’ve got some more listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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46:5511/07/2023
Meta’s Threads, and A Major First Amendment Ruling
Kara and Scott discuss Apple hitting a $3 trillion valuation, China announcing export restrictions on minerals used in the production of semiconductors, and GQ pulling an article critiquing David Zaslav. Also: Meta’s Twitter competitor, Threads is officially here and racking in the downloads. A certain someone isn’t so happy about that. Plus, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to prohibit certain communications between the Biden administration and social media sites. And a listener question on going from academia to the corporate world.
Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at nymag.com/pivot.
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58:0807/07/2023
The Economy, the Media, and Fatherhood — with Kai Ryssdal
Kai Ryssdal, the host and senior editor of Marketplace, joins Scott to discuss the state of the economy and his take on the media. We also learn how Kai approaches fatherhood and his thoughts on being a good partner. Follow Kai on Twitter, @kairyssdal.
Scott opens by discussing masculinity, his time at Cannes, and the fact that the number of billionaires in the world has increased five-fold over the past two decades.
Listen to more from The Prof G Pod here.
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54:2604/07/2023
Psychedelics in Silicon Valley, and Restrictions on AI Chip Exports
Donald Trump may soon return to Twitter, new F1 team owners, and Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White wants a raise. Then, psychedelics have a hold on tech industry culture, and the US is considering restrictions on exports of AI chip to China. Plus, a listener question on how local governments can retain talent.
Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or via Yappa, at nymag.com/pivot.
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01:00:0230/06/2023
Rebellion in Russia, Titan Fallout, and Guest Jason Del Rey
Breaking news: Kara Swisher will not referee the cage match between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Also, SpaceX is looking to up its valuation, and Meta wants to shut down access to news in Canada. And this weekend’s insurrection in Russia revealed how unequipped social media is to cover breaking news. Plus, an investigation into the Titan submersible implosion may lead to new regulations. Will the same happen for space travel? Then we’re joined by Friend of Pivot, Jason Del Rey on the decades-long battle between Walmart and Amazon.
You can find Jason on Twitter at @DelRey, and you can buy “Winner Sells All: Amazon, Walmart, and the Battle for Our Wallets,” here.
We’ve got some listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:09:0727/06/2023
Tesla’s Rising Value, Meta’s AI, and Twitter’s Ad Problem
Kara and Scott are live at Cannes! They discuss Tesla’s market value going up a quarter of a trillion dollars, and Meta letting advertisers know how it’s competing in the AI space. Plus, Twitter’s Head of Ad Sales attended Cannes to assure brands their ads wouldn’t appear near all the bad stuff, and meanwhile GLAAD named Twitter the most dangerous platform for LGBTQ+ people. Then, some questions from the audience.
We’ve got some listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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50:2323/06/2023
Google’s Sundar Pichai Talks Seach, AI, and Dancing with Microsoft
Nilay Patel, editor in chief of The Verge, talks to Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet about what he thinks of the future of search, and his vision for Google.Listen to more from Nilay in the feed of Decoder with Nilay Patel.
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44:0020/06/2023
E.U. Tech Regulation, Bud Light Sales, and Kara Tries the Apple Vision Pro
Kara has a pretty rave review of Apple's Vision Pro, but can she sell Scott on trying it out? Also, E.U is on a tear of technology regulation, including antitrust charges for Google over its advertising practices, and regulation for AI. Plus, Bud Light sales are in a slump following the brand’s handling of the Dylan Mulvaney controversy. And a listener question on what Kara and Scott would do if they were in Linda Yaccarino’s shoes.
We’ve got some listener mail episodes coming your way soon, so send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:11:0216/06/2023
Trump Heads to Court (Again), Tesla's Autopilot Danger, and Guest Jennifer Pahlka
Trump Heads to Court (Again), Tesla's Autopilot Danger, and Guest Jennifer Pahlka
Kara and Scott talk about George Soros' succession plan, Twitter’s new “odd couple,” and Trump's latest legal battle over classified documents. Then Friend of Pivot Jennifer Pahlka stops by to talk about her critically-acclaimed new book, Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
You can follow Jennifer at @pahlkadot and Recoding America is available here.
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01:05:5213/06/2023
PGA Tour's Mysterious Merger, Instagram's Pedophile Problem
The SEC is coming for crypto’s biggest players, Fox News says Tucker Carlson broke his contract with a new Twitter show, and Chris Licht is out at CNN. Then, Instagram’s algorithms are promoting accounts sharing child sexual abuse material, and the PGA Tour announced a merger with Saudi-backed LIV Golf. Plus, a listener question on Reddit charging for access to its API.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:01:0609/06/2023
Apple's Vision Pro, Chris Licht Outlook, and Friend of Pivot Ben Terris
The Directors Guild avoids a strike, Amazon may join the wireless market, and tech companies prepare for 2024 by acting like it's 2020. Also, Apple finally unveils its headset. Kara and Scott talk about the weird world of Washington with Friend of Pivot Ben Terris, author of "The Big Break: The Gamblers, Party Animals, and True Believers Trying to Win in Washington While America Loses Its Mind."
Find The Big Break here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:10:5406/06/2023
Biden Wins the Debt Deal, and AI Extinction
Elizabeth Holmes goes to prison, the Sackler family escapes liability, and Twitter's valuation drops even lower. Also, Congress votes to raise the debt ceiling, but did Speaker McCarthy get floored? Leading AI scientists and entrepreneurs warn of possible extinction. Kara and Scott weigh the odds.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:04:0302/06/2023
How worried—or excited—should we be about AI? Recode Media with Peter Kafka
AI is amazing… or terrifying, depending on who you ask. This is a technology that elicits strong, almost existential reactions. So, as a Memorial Day special, we're running an episode of Recode Media with Peter Kafka that digs into the giant ambitions and enormous concerns people have about the very same tech.
First up: Joshua Browder (@jbrowder1), a Stanford computer science dropout who tried to get an AI lawyer into court.
Then: Microsoft's CTO Kevin Scott (@kevin_scott) pitches a bright AI future.
Plus: hype-deflator, cognitive scientist and author Gary Marcus (@GaryMarcus) believes in AI, but he thinks the giants of Silicon Valley are scaling flawed technology now—with potentially dangerous consequences.
Subscribe for free to Recode Media to make sure you get the whole series: https://bit.ly/3IOpWuB
Pivot will return on Friday!
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54:4930/05/2023
The Twitter DeSaster and the Surgeon General’s Social Media Warning
Meta will sell Giphy in an antitrust loss, and the man who ran a Twitter account tracking Elon Musk’s private jet is now tracking Ron Desantis. Also, the latest in the culture wars: A Florida school has limited access to Amanda Gorman’s poetry, and Target will remove some Pride merch after a backlash. Plus, Governor Ron DeSantis announced his presidential run on Twitter Spaces… and it didn’t go quite as planned. And the Surgeon General warns that social media may be harmful to young users. Then, a listener question on HBO Max rebranding to Max.
Send us your questions and tell us what Pivot’s rebrand should be! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:03:3326/05/2023
Disney’s Billion Dollar Punch, AppGPT, and Guest Chasten Buttigieg
The EU deals Meta a record-breaking fine, Jeffrey Epstein reportedly attempted to blackmail Bill Gates, and the debt ceiling is looming closer. Also, Disney is cancelling plans to build a complex in Florida. Kara and Scott discuss ChatGPT and Apple’s AI efforts. Friend of Pivot Chasten Buttigieg joins to discuss coming of age as a young gay man in the Midwest, and the continuing challenges to LGBTQ life in America.
You can find @Chasten on Twitter, and “I Have Something to Tell You: For Young Adults” here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:09:5923/05/2023
Supreme Court Saves Social Media, Montana Bans TikTok, and Sam Altman Wants AI Regulation
EU regulators say 'game on' for the Microsoft-Activision deal, WeWork's CEO is stepping down, and the latest call for AI regulation is coming from inside the house. Kara and Scott discuss the weak plan to ban TikTok in Montana. And Elon Musk continues to Elon Musk, saying he’s willing to lose money to say what he wants to say. Also, a prediction about the writer's strike.
Listen to On with Kara Swisher's episode, "Will Elon Musk Turn Twitter Into Yahoo Mail?" here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:05:3019/05/2023
A New Chief Twit, CNN Fallout, and Senator Mark Warner
Kara and Scott discuss Taylor Swift's economic impact, and why there are troubles at Disney Plus and Netflix. Meanwhile, over at Twitter: a new CEO, and a censorship controversy. Also, the Trump Town Hall stirs up internal politics at CNN. Our Friend of Pivot, Senator Mark Warner, stops by to talk TikTok, AI, and the Kids Online Safety Act.
You can find Senator Mark Warner at @MarkWarner on Twitter.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:22:1816/05/2023
Trump's Town Hall, Santos Charged, and STFU with Dan Lyons
Tucker Carlson says he's moving to Twitter, Google cuts a deal with the New York Times, and the Biden administration might make airlines pay their customers. Kara and Scott unpack the Trump verdict and CNN town hall, and the charges against Representative George Santos. Friend of Pivot Dan Lyons talks about his book STFU, and why we talk too much.
Find Dan Lyons on Twitter, and check out STFU here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:09:4112/05/2023
Debt Ceiling, Trump Town Hall, and Guest Claire Hughes Johnson
Kara and Scott talk about the coronation, CNN's Trump town hall, and Elizabeth Holmes. Also, Twitter is bleeding blue checks, and Tucker Carlson reportedly spoke to Elon Musk about his next moves. Then, which party will come out ahead in the debt ceiling negotiations? And, Friend of Pivot Claire Hughes Johnson to talk about what managers get wrong.
You can find Claire on Twitter at @chughesjohnson, and can buy “Scaling People: Tactics for Management and Company Building” here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:15:4309/05/2023
Regulating AI, Culture Wars at the School Play, and Guest Anne Applebaum on Ukraine
Kara and Scott on interest rates, new Airbnb features, and the text that got Tucker Carlson fired. AI CEOs are headed to the White House as the FTC puts the industry in its crosshairs, and Scott redefines LLM. Plus: the growing movement to censor kids' theater programs. Today's Friend of Pivot is Anne Applebaum, staff writer at The Atlantic, with the latest on Ukraine.
You can find Anne on Twitter at @anneapplebaum, and can read her cover story here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:12:0205/05/2023
J.P. Morgan's First Republic Deal, Twitter v. Bluesky, and Friend of Pivot Joelle Emerson
Kara and Scott discuss the recent warnings from one of the “Godfathers of AI,” as well as the potential writers' strike. Then, J.P Morgan keeps getting bigger with its latest acquisition: First Republic. Elon Musk says Twitter will let media publishers charge for articles. Also, does anybody have a Bluesky referral code? And we’re joined by Friend of Pivot, Joelle Emerson, to break down how recent layoffs have affected corporate diversity.
You can find Joelle at @joelle_emerson on Twitter.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:15:4402/05/2023
Disney Sues DeSantis, Meta's Good Quarter, and the Case Against TikTok with Senator Michael Bennet
The UK moves to block the Microsoft-Activision deal, Peter Thiel announces a change to his political giving, and First Republic Bank shows we're not out the woods yet. Also, Disney escalates its fight with Florida, and Big Tech has a good quarter. Plus, Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) joins to discuss TikTok legislation, Twitter, and the Supreme Court.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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58:5028/04/2023
Tucker & Don Out, Elon's Blue Check Wreck, and Guest Baratunde Thurston
Kara and Scott react to news that Tucker Carlson is out at Fox, and Don Lemon at CNN. Plus, Kara's got a blue check and Scott doesn't after a messy week at Twitter. Layoffs and closures are hitting left and right with Disney and Lyft layoffs, Bed, Bath & Beyond bankruptcy, and BuzzFeed News shutting down. Also, President Biden is expected to announce his reelection campaign this week. Then we’re joined by Friend of Pivot, Baratunde Thurston.
You can find Baratunde's at Puck, on How to Citizen, and on America Outdoors on PBS.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:13:1525/04/2023
Fox News Must Pay, DeSantis Doubles Down on Disney, and Dmitri Alperovitch on Discord
Meta's Year of Efficiency continues with 10,000 more layoffs. Apple gets into the savings game with a competitive interest rate. Florida's Ron DeSantis is losing his war on Disney, while Fox News agrees to pay Dominion a hefty sum in a defamation settlement. Pretty good week, all in all.
Crowdstrike co-founder Dmitri Alperovitch joins to discuss Discord Leaks and Starlink's role in the Ukraine war.
Hear more from Dmitri on Geopolitics Decanted.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:22:3521/04/2023
The Discord Leaks, San Francisco Safety, and Kate Crawford on AI
Scott’s back on Twitter, and Elon says the platform could be cash-flow positive this quarter - coincidence? Kara and Scott discuss growing calls for Senator Feinstein to resign, a delay in the Dominion v. Fox News trial, and impressive JPMorgan Chase earnings. Also, a tech consultant has been arrested for the murder of Cash App founder Bob Lee. And U.S. National Security is in disarray over Discord after an Air National Guardsman allegedly leaked classified documents on the platform. Then, we’re joined by Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research Lab and Professor at USC Annenberg, Kate Crawford to talk everything AI.
You can find Kate on Twitter at @katecrawford, and can buy “Atlas of AI” here.
We’re nominated for a Webby! Vote for us here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:10:2618/04/2023
Twitter Payments, Financial Illiteracy, and the Out-of-Touch Elite
Why does anyone need another form of payment? Who's really behind all that "un-American" content on TikTok? And which Pivot co-host is the most elite? Learn the answers to all that and more as Kara and Scott tackle listener questions. Plus: Poetry.
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45:5814/04/2023
Twitter vs. Substack, Stormy Daniels, and Jennifer Senior On Grief
SPOILERS: Succession.
Jill Biden makes a rare gaffe after the NCAA championships. Dueling court rulings could endanger access to abortion pills. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has a secret wealthy benefactor with a not-so-secret collection of Nazi memorabilia. Kara and guest host Olivia Nuzzi (New York Magazine) unpack her latest cover story on Stormy Daniels, plus Elon Musk's ham-fisted fight against Substack.
Author Jennifer Senior joins to discuss "On Grief," her story about loss, mourning, and memory.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:03:5711/04/2023
Trump Arrest Fallout
The View co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin joins Kara to discuss the fallout from former President Donald Trump's arrest. What does it mean for his campaign? How should presidential hopefuls manage this moment? Has media coverage of Trump’s chaos improved? Plus, UK privacy regulators fine TikTok, and Tim Cook himself warns parents to limit screen times for kids.
You can find Alyssa at @Alyssafarah on Twitter, and on The View.
We’re nominated for a Webby! Vote for us here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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59:3307/04/2023
Blue Checks Live On (For Now), Adam Neumann of Arabia, and Guest Liz Hoffman
Kara and Scott still have their blue checks! They discuss a confusing and slow legacy check removal process at Twitter. Also, the Russian government’s arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and other repressive governments making business hard around the world. Plus, Virgin Orbit has halted operations for the foreseeable future and four billionaires will have to talk about their relationship with Jeffery Epstein. Oh, and by the time you’re reading this, former President Trump may have been arrested.
Friend of Pivot Liz Hoffman discusses her new book, Crash Landing: The Inside Story of How the World’s Biggest Companies Survived an Economy on the Brink.
You can find Liz at @lizrhoffman on Twitter, and you can buy her book here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:09:1204/04/2023
Trump Indicted, Alibaba Splits, School Shooting Misinformation
Disney drops out of the metaverse, Apple jumps into buy now, pay later, and tech leaders call for a pause on A.I. Also, Donald Trump says that he's been "INDICATED," and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is splitting into six companies. Meanwhile, misinformation swells after the latest school shooting that left 6 dead in Nashville. Kara and Scott take a listener question about senior poverty.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:06:2531/03/2023
Twitter Blues, Israel Protests, and TikTok espionage with Emily Baker-White
Short sellers come to Jack Dorsey's Block, Apple's employees don't like what they're seeing in the company's AR device, and there's peace in the Silicon Valley Bank tonight. Also, NPR cancels four podcasts, the SEC gets serious about crypto, and Twitter Blue's latest feature is... pretending you don't pay for Twitter Blue? Journalist Emily Baker-White joins Kara and Scott to discuss her work on TikTok, and the stories that led ByteDance employees to spy on her.
Find Emily Baker-White on Twitter at @ebakerwhite.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:16:1928/03/2023
TikTok’s Testimony, and Google’s Bard Release
Scott and Kara* dissect TikTok CEO Shou Chew’s testimony in the House as the app fends of a potential U.S. ban. And in A.I. news, Google released its chat bot, Bard, to the general public. Plus, President Trump is still a free man, the Fed has raised interest rates yet again, and Ford’s EV business is in the red. Then, a listener question about getting paid in stock.
*See what we did there?
You can listen to Kara’s interview with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman here.
For a deeper dive on the implications of the potential Trump indictment, check out Stay Tuned from friend of the show, Preet Bharara.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:03:1024/03/2023
TikTok Gets Ready to Testify, UBS Rescues Credit Suisse, and Guest Dr. Gloria Mark
Kara and Scott discuss another round of Amazon layoffs, former President Trump’s call for protests, and of course, raccoon dogs. Plus, the banking drama continues as banks in the U.S. and Switzerland come together to rescue the weakest among them. Also, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will testify before Congress this week. Friend of Pivot Dr. Gloria Mark explains how technology has impacted our attention spans.
You can find Dr. Gloria Mark at @GloriaMark_PhD on Twitter, and you can buy her book “Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness, and Productivity” here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:08:0221/03/2023
ChatGPT Will See You Now, and Silicon Valley Bank Fallout Continues
The Biden administration tells Tiktok to leave ByteDance or leave the US. Meta's year of Zuck-ficiency continues, with another 10,000 layoffs. Kara and Scott unpack the decision to backstop Silicon Valley Bank, as Credit Suisse deals with its own potential issues. Also, ChatGPT gains the power of sight, and a listener worries about the growth of legalized gambling.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:06:3117/03/2023
The Oscars, a Silicon Valley Bank Update, and Data Privacy
Sam Sanders of Into It joins Kara for co-hosting duties! They discuss the latest on the Silicon Valley Bank fallout, then break down this year's Oscars. Also, data security issues are at play in a church scandal involving priests and dating apps, and should Paramount sell BET?
You can follow Sam on Twitter at @SamSanders, and you can listen to Into It and Vibe Check wherever you get your podcasts.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:05:1814/03/2023
Silicon Valley Bank’s Downfall
Kara, Scott, and William D. Cohan are back with a bonus episode to talk through Silicon Valley Bank’s 48 hour collapse. What does its fall mean for tech? Who's to blame? Will depositors be made whole?
You can follow William D. Cohan at @WilliamCohan.
We’ll be back with a regular episode on Tuesday!
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42:2112/03/2023
Wheels Come Off at Tesla, Tucker's Texts, and Hannah Dreier on Immigrant Child Labor
More layoffs are coming to Meta, and President Biden's pick for the FCC, Gigi Sohn, drops out of the running. As the FTC investigates his company and the wheels literally come off at Tesla, Elon Musk publicly picks (and loses) a fight with an employee. Also, newly-revealed texts from Fox News hosts could be a legal headache. Friend of Pivot Hannah Dreier helps Kara and Scott unpack her latest investigation on the widespread use of immigrant child labor in America's most dangerous jobs. Plus, a prediction from Scott about Adam Neumann's latest venture.
You can follow Hannah Dreier at @hannahdreier and read her work at the New York Times.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:11:3310/03/2023
TikTok, Freedom, and the First Amendment with Jeff Kosseff
Kara and Scott talk big earnings at Salesforce, Amazon's HQ2 construction pause, and more executive departures at Apple. Also, TikTok ban bills are moving ahead, amid renewed GOP attacks on Big Tech. Plus, we’re joined by Friend of Pivot Jeff Kosseff to discuss how new bills aimed at online speech could challenge the First Amendment.
You can find Jeff on Twitter at @jkosseff and you can preorder his book here.
Hear Kara’s interview with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff here.
You can read the Wall Street Journal Scott mentions in Wins and Fails here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:14:2507/03/2023
Twitter Competitors, Lab Leak Theory, and Guest Mehdi Hasan
Kara and Scott discuss Tesla’s “Master Plan 3,” and TikTok's new time limits. Also, the world of Twitter competitors is growing with Jack Dorsey’s new app Bluesky joining the ranks. Plus, the COVID-19 lab leak theory got a heated boost this week. Friend of Pivot Mehdi Hasan joins to help us definitively decide whether or not Kara’s Chevy Bolt is sexy.
You can find Mehdi on Twitter at @mehdirhasan, and you can find his book “Win Every Argument The Art of Debating, Persuading, and Public Speaking” here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:16:0303/03/2023
Meta Joins the A.I. Race, More Twitter Cuts, and Guest Malcolm Harris
Dilbert is out of work after his creator made racist remarks. House Republicans are launching an investigation into the toxic train derailment in Ohio. Also, Twitter has cut staff yet again, and prominent Elon-backers are in the mix. Plus, Meta has jumped into the A.I. race at last, sans a chatbot. Kara and Scott are joined by Friend of Pivot Malcolm Harris on his new book, “Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World.”
You can fins Malcolm on Twitter at @BigMeanInternet and can find his book here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:17:0128/02/2023
Meta Verified, SCOTUS, and the Future of the Internet
Kara and Scott discuss Don Lemon's troubling comments, the high cost of shooting down UFOs, and Amazon sealing the deal with One Medical. Also, Elon Musk and Tesla return to California. Plus, Mark Zuckerberg wants us to pay for Facebook with the new Meta Verified, and the Supreme Court hears two cases that could impact Section 230, the internet's most important law.
Listen to Kara’s latest episode of On with Kara Swisher, “Will Killing Section 230 Kill the Internet?” here.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:01:1824/02/2023
America’s Progress Has Stalled — with Derek Thompson | The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Happy President's Day! Pivot will return on Friday. Today, an episode from our other favorite podcast: The Prof G Pod.
Derek Thompson, a staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the Plain English podcast, joins Scott to discuss why he believes America is at a standstill when it comes to progress, including the lack of trust in institutions and a need for an abundance agenda. Follow Derek on Twitter, @DKThomp.
Scott opens by discussing potential business opportunities for WhatsApp. He then shares his thoughts on Buzzfeed’s decision to use OpenAi to create content.
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50:2121/02/2023
Elon’s Timeline Takeover, Bing’s AI Freakout, and the Sordid Affairs of Sumner Redstone
A week of surprising resignations: the FTC’s lone Republican commissioner announced her departure in the Wall Street Journal, and Scotland’s First Minister will step down after drama around a transgender prisoner. Also, the US and China practice electric car diplomacy, and Elon Musk *really* wants you to read his tweets. Friends of Pivot James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams discuss their book, Unscripted, about the scandalous last years of Sumner Redstone.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
Check out Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy and follow James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams on Twitter.
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01:15:1717/02/2023
UFOs, The State of Tech, and Guest Lakshmi Rengarajan
Kara and Scott talk Super Bowl ads and legacy blue check wars. And what on Earth (or Mars?) is the deal with all of these UFOs? Plus, the state of Big Tech: the layoffs, the opportunities, the A.I. Also, Friend of Pivot and co-host of Land of the Giants, Lakshmi Rengarajan joins to dicuss all things dating.
You can hear more from Lakshmi on Land of the Giants and Paired by the People.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:18:0914/02/2023
AI Blunders, The GOP Cries Censorship, and Adam Neumann’s Comeback
Kara and Scott discuss the latest changes at Disney, including layoffs, and the expensive mistake made by Google's chatbot. Also in the mix: Adam Neumann is back, and has invented apartments! Plus, how did that Republicans hearing with the former Twitter execs go? The Dawg and Jungle Cat have thoughts.
Send us your questions! Call 855-51-PIVOT or go to nymag.com/pivot.
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01:02:5510/02/2023