All TWiT.tv Shows (Audio) - This Week in Tech 1006: Underwater Alien Civilizations

Release Date: November 18, 2024
Host: Leo Laporte
Guests: Alex Kantrowitz (The Big Technology Podcast), Daniel Rubino (Windows Central), Ian Thompson (The Register)

1. Introduction

In the milestone episode 1006 of This Week in Tech, host Leo Laporte welcomes a distinguished panel comprising Alex Kantrowitz from The Big Technology Podcast, Daniel Rubino, editor-in-chief of Windows Central, and Ian Thompson from The Register. The episode delves into a diverse array of topics ranging from social media dynamics, live streaming challenges, cybersecurity strategies, to the intriguing subject of underwater alien civilizations.

2. Social Media Alternatives: Blue Sky vs. Twitter vs. Threads

The discussion kicks off with a critical analysis of emerging social media platforms vying to fill the void left by traditional giants like Twitter (now rebranded as X). Blue Sky, an initiative initially funded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is under scrutiny as the panel debates its potential longevity and scalability.

Ian Thompson expresses skepticism, stating, "Honestly, they've dealt with it fantastically. If you're dealing with a million new users a day..." [02:52]. However, Alex Kantrowitz draws parallels to Clubhouse's rise and fall, predicting a similar trajectory for Blue Sky. He remarks, "What Blue Sky reminds me of is Clubhouse... there's a spike in activity... and then... a death spiral" [05:41].

Daniel Rubino offers a nuanced view, appreciating Blue Sky's unique features like custom feeds and starter packs but shares a personal indifference towards social networks. He notes, "There's a lot of people that I follow and vice versa on it..." [04:23].

The consensus leans towards the idea that while Blue Sky and Threads exhibit initial growth, the entrenched network effect of X makes sustained dominance challenging. Alex Kantrowitz emphasizes, "X is going to X [be] very, very hard to displace" [08:45].

3. Netflix's Live Streaming Challenges: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Fight

Shifting focus, the panel addresses Netflix's ambitious foray into live event streaming, specifically the high-profile Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. Despite drawing a massive audience, technical glitches marred the experience, leading to frustration among viewers.

Ian Thompson compares the incident to a Silicon Valley scenario where streaming fails during critical moments, highlighting the precarious nature of live broadcasting. Alex Kantrowitz acknowledges Netflix's efforts, stating, "This was their first big scale live production. And even though the streaming didn't work, it's all anybody can talk about" [25:03].

Looking ahead, participants weigh in on Netflix's resilience and potential to rectify streaming issues for future events like NFL games and WWE specials. Daniel Rubino underscores the importance of live sports in driving streaming growth: "Sport is one of the main areas of streaming, which is really growing at the moment" [26:34].

4. Microsoft's Cybersecurity Service Offer to the U.S. Government

A significant portion of the episode scrutinizes Microsoft's strategic move to offer the U.S. government a year of free cybersecurity services amidst escalating cyber threats from nation-state actors.

Leo Laporte introduces the topic with a summary from ProPublica, highlighting concerns that Microsoft's limited-time free offer could coerce federal agencies into long-term subscriptions. He cites, "Once the consultants installed the upgrades, federal customers would be effectively locked in because shifting to a competitor after the free trial would be cumbersome and costly" [41:45].

Daniel Rubino contextualizes the move as a typical business strategy, comparing it to offering free trials that convert into paid subscriptions. He states, "This is common practice across anything. And if you're a business, securing government contracts is the gold mine" [42:04].

The panel debates the ethical implications, with Alex Kantrowitz arguing that, "There's real utility there... the only way to create new audiences is to have must see TV live events" [09:27]. Conversely, Daniel Rubino emphasizes the transactional nature of such deals, noting, "Securing government contracts is the gold mine. That's, everybody knows" [44:14].

5. The Onion's Acquisition of Infowars and Elon Musk's Response

In a surprising twist, the episode covers The Onion's acquisition of Infowars following Alex Jones' multi-billion-dollar settlement with the Sandy Hook families. This move has stirred controversy, particularly with Elon Musk’s X Corp objecting to the bidding process.

Leo Laporte outlines the situation, stating, "The Onion, of course, is a satirical news site and says we're going to take Infowars and turn it into a satire of itself" [101:19]. However, Alex Kantrowitz anticipates Musk's interference, suggesting, "But there's a fly in the ointment because Elon Musk's X Corp has weighed in and is asking for a hearing with the bankruptcy court" [101:44].

Daniel Rubino defends the acquisition as a strategic move by The Onion to reshape Infowars into a more responsible platform, asserting, "They agree to run anti gun stuff and do stories around that program that has kind of a partnership with that program" [102:48].

The panel remains divided on the outcome, with concerns over potential monopolistic control and the integrity of satirical content under corporate ownership.

6. The Role and Impact of AI on Content Creation

A heated segment revolves around the burgeoning role of AI in generating content, particularly in music and podcasts. The guests express mixed feelings about AI's capabilities and its implications for human creativity.

Alex Kantrowitz shares insights from his conversation with Spotify executives, revealing Spotify's cautious approach to AI-generated music. He notes, "Your job is to make money..." [122:05], highlighting the commercial pressures influencing content strategies.

Benito Gonzalez and Ian Thompson debate the authenticity and emotional depth of AI-created content. Daniel Rubino cautions against over-reliance on AI, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human ingenuity: "You need that quirky human brain to keep things interesting and unique" [126:18].

Leo Laporte echoes this sentiment, expressing reservations about AI dominating creative spaces: "I don't think that AI could create a podcast as kind of weirdly human, with all of its flaws and foibles as the shows that we do" [127:07].

The conversation underscores a broader concern about maintaining human authenticity in an increasingly AI-driven media landscape.

7. Conclusion: Tribute to Thomas E. Kurtz

The episode culminates with a heartfelt tribute to Thomas E. Kurtz, the late inventor of the BASIC programming language, alongside his collaborator John Kemeny. Kurtz's contributions at Dartmouth College revolutionized computer accessibility, laying the groundwork for future generations of programmers.

Ian Thompson reminisces, "Every single programmer of a certain age I've spoken to... we started with BASIC" [157:01], highlighting Kurtz's enduring legacy in the tech community.

Leo Laporte reflects on the personal impact of Kurtz's inventions, sharing memories of early computing experiences: "I wrote my first program in BASIC on Ataris..." [157:17].

The panel collectively honors Kurtz's pioneering work, acknowledging the foundational role BASIC played in democratizing programming and fostering the growth of the digital age.

Notable Quotes:

• Ian Thompson: "It's going to be very, very hard to displace" – on the dominance of X over emerging social platforms. [08:45]

• Alex Kantrowitz: "What Blue Sky reminds me of is Clubhouse..." predicting Blue Sky's potential decline. [05:41]

• Daniel Rubino: "This is common practice across anything..." defending Microsoft's cybersecurity strategy. [42:04]

• Alex Kantrowitz: "There's real utility there..." discussing the necessity of platforms like X for breaking news. [09:27]

• Ian Thompson: "But we still have to look..." on the challenges of unionizing in the tech industry. [85:26]

• Leo Laporte: "I don't think that AI could create a podcast as kind of weirdly human, with all of its flaws and foibles as the shows that we do" – expressing concerns over AI's creative capabilities. [127:07]

Final Thoughts

This Week in Tech 1006 weaves through complex discussions about the evolving landscape of social media, the precarious nature of live streaming endeavors, strategic corporate maneuvers in cybersecurity, and the ethical quandaries posed by AI in content creation. The episode not only provides insightful analyses but also pays homage to pioneers like Thomas E. Kurtz, reminding listeners of the human ingenuity that continues to drive technological advancement.

For those keen on understanding the multifaceted intersections of technology, politics, and culture, this episode offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration.