The WAN Show: “Sora is Dead” – March 27, 2026

Podcast: The WAN Show
Hosts: Linus Sebastian, Luke Lafreniere
Date: March 28, 2026

Episode Overview

This WAN Show episode kicks off “Good News Month” for April, with Linus and Luke focusing on upbeat developments and major shifts in the tech world. The main headline is the shutdown of OpenAI's video generation platform Sora, along with other major topics: legal wins against Meta & Google in social media addiction cases, big updates for Linux gaming, new Intel GPUs, policy changes on US router sales, and more. Throughout, Linus and Luke offer unfiltered, humorous takes, reminisce about the PC building industry, and discuss future channel changes.

Episode Structure

• Sora and OpenAI’s Strategy Shift [00:51–16:16]
• GPU Market & Intel ARC Weekly Check-In [20:38–33:52]
• Wine 11, Linux Challenge Progress, and Windows Rants [33:27–46:25]
• Router Import Ban & Security Vulnerabilities [51:54–61:04]
• Social Media Addiction Lawsuits Against Meta & Google [69:31–84:43]
• Intel’s Battle Mage and Crimson Desert Support [84:43–87:40]
• Switch 2 Battery Changes & Nintendo News [136:11–141:29]
• Airdrop on Samsung Galaxy & Device Ecosystem Chatter [150:41–154:12]
• Random News, Product Releases, & Check-out Messages [16:49–32:53]
• After Dark: Personal Q&A, Health, Food, and Family Stories [172:11–end]

Key Topics and Segments

1. Sora is Dead: OpenAI Shuts Down Video Generation [00:51–16:16]

• OpenAI discontinued Sora, their heavily-hyped video generation platform, after burning huge amounts of cash ($15+ million/day at peak estimates).
• Sora faced unclear economics and licensing/legal challenges (including a troubled Disney deal).
• Quote:
  “It was a marketing stunt. A billboard… they clearly didn’t do the groundwork ahead of time to deal with licensing issues.” —Linus [05:30]
• OpenAI is pivoting toward productivity/B2B tools under the codename “Spud” with IPO as a potential goal.
• Discussion on the impossible business model for consumer AI video:
  “They had to pay for every single piece of content, no matter how good or how bad it was.” —Linus [12:04]
• Tangent: Linus confesses to using ad blockers for the first time due to unusable web experiences [07:01].

2. GPU Market Update & Intel ARC Weekly Check-In [20:38–33:52]

• Intel ARC B580: No longer available at MSRP, but open-box deals exist.
• AMD GPU market share is minuscule (<1% for many mainstream cards), with Nvidia dominating prebuilds.
• Reflections on the rise of prebuilt culture and consumer attitudes: “A massive amount of people buy prebuilt, way more than I ever would have thought.” —Luke [23:40]
• Intel’s slow but steady push:
  “Everything Intel does that shows they’re still making GPUs is encouraging for me—we must not have a monopoly in this space.” —Linus [85:25]

3. Wine 11 and the Linux Challenge [33:27–46:25]

• Wine 11 and Kernel Advances: Game-changing for Windows gaming on Linux, with big boosts for multi-threaded games (e.g., Dirt 3 up 8x FPS).
• Linux running increasingly smoothly; both hosts continue daily Linux use: “At this point I really, really don’t see myself going back to Windows on my laptop.” —Luke [37:35]
• Rant against Windows annoyances:
  “Do you want to open this webpage in Edge? There’s just… none of that stuff [on Linux].” —Luke [40:23]
• Linus demonstrates his growing annoyance with being forced to use Microsoft accounts for everything (e.g., SwiftKey migration) [41:10].

4. Network News: Security Vulnerabilities & US Router Import Ban [51:54–61:04]

• Unifi Patch Alert:
  • Three significant vulnerabilities patched; users urgently need to update.
  • [51:49] Dan says: “I’m doing it right now.”
• FCC Bans Non-US Routers:
  • New rules ban sales/import of foreign-made consumer routers without explicit approval.
  • Most routers currently available are ‘grandfathered,’ but all new models require US manufacturing/onshoring plans [54:00].
• Lively debate on cost and impracticality: “You want some real expensive routers?” —Luke [55:13]
• Exploration of small-scale US/EU router makers and reflections on manufacturing challenges.

5. Landmark Lawsuits: Meta & Google Held Liable for Social Media Addiction [69:31–84:43]

• Two major jury awards: $375M (Meta) and $3M (Meta/YouTube split) for addictive, child-harming design choices (infinite scroll, autoplay, notifications).
• Section 230 was bypassed by focusing on design, not content, setting huge precedent for pending cases.
• Quote:
  “Imagine someone saying, ‘Hey, your product damaged me.’ And you being like, ‘Yo, y’all are broken, cuz. Your family sucks, and you were bullied…’” —Linus [74:27]
• Over 3,000 similar lawsuits are expected; could fundamentally change the social media landscape.
• What’s next? The possible return to old-school, non-algorithmic social networks.

6. Good News Bytes & Apple Business Launch

• Impending policy forcing Switch 2 to have removable batteries for EU compliance ([136:11])—hosts cheer for right-to-repair advances.
• Apple Business:
  • Consolidated management suite for organizations/education, offered free, seen as a “game changer.”
  • Big topic on how Apple dominates by cementing itself in education & corporate environments [95:07–99:54].
• Quick hits:
  • New magnetic cable organizers launched by LTT [16:58]
  • Steam Machine Verified program will require 1080p/30fps for new Valve hardware [162:53]
  • Samsung Galaxy phones now support Airdrop-style sharing with iPhones [150:41]
  • Motorola’s GrapheneOS partnership threatened by new state laws requiring age data collections (but GrapheneOS “will never comply”) [149:27–150:20]

7. Community Q&A & “After Dark” [172:11–end]

• Personal Stories:
  • Linus shares parenting techniques for toddler meltdowns [199:11].
  • Favorite gifts from children and to parents—Luke’s Lord of the Rings family experience [181:19–183:49].
• Health & Diet:
  • Linus’s legendary Krispy Kreme donut binge (ate a dozen in under 24 hours) [187:57–189:10].
  • Surprising calorie math on donuts vs. fast food and McDonald’s.
• Technical Advice:
  • CPU upgrades and DDR4/DDR5 value, with reflections on AMD’s abandoned “upgrade path” for AM4 holders.
• Random Fun:
  • Playing Vibes Fish and Minesweeper live [162:14].
  • Tangents on bikes, hybrid motorcycles, and more.

Memorable Quotes & Highlights

On Sora’s Business Model:

“They had to pay for every piece of content, no matter how good or bad… YouTube has a literal army of free labor.”
—Linus [12:04]

On Meta’s Courtroom Defense:

“Imagine going after someone that way… ‘Yo, y’all are broken, cuz. Your family sucks, and you were bullied…’”
—Linus [74:27]

On Linux Daily Drivers:

“At this point I really, really don’t see myself going back to Windows on my laptop.”
—Luke [37:35]

On Experimental Channel Moves:

“What do you think of the idea of simultaneously streaming on both platforms for a really long time, dropping bitrate each week?”
—Linus [117:53]

On Parenting & Meltdowns:

“If a meltdown gets the slice of cake, you will see that behavior over and over… If a meltdown gets you seated on a bench outside… you’re less likely to see it again.”
—Linus [199:25]

On Personal Weakness (Food):

“I don’t know how they make something that has so many calories taste so light. I ate eight that evening and four the next morning…”
—Linus [188:03]

Notable Moments (with Time Stamps)

• Sora shutdown & costs: [05:30–12:04]
• Linus’ ad blocker confession: [07:01]
• Meta and Google court verdicts: [69:31–77:08]
• Wine 11, Linux vs Windows: [33:52–41:05]
• Floatplane WAN Show channel transition twist: [117:51]
• Playful product launches & marketing: [16:49–18:35]
• Parenting and kid meltdowns: [199:11]
• Krispy Kreme donut binge confession: [187:57]
• Mario Kart World drifting rant: [137:58–139:34]
• QLED lawsuit and TV cheating: [156:01–160:59]

Tone & Style

Linus and Luke’s banter is equal parts witty, irreverent, and insightful, peppered with classic WAN Show tangents. They balance real technical analysis with industry skepticism, self-deprecation, hot takes, and community engagement. The episode keeps a celebratory “good news” energy while still digging deep into major industry transitions and controversies.

Closing Reminders

• Good News Month starts April: All WAN Show episodes in April will be “good news only,” with a possible rare exception for critical stories.
• WAN Show moving to its own YouTube channel:
  • Transition begins April 3, 2026, with a fun campaign to nudge holdouts.
• Check early-access content and release announcements on Floatplane and LTT channels.

For next episode: Subscribe to LMG Clips (soon “The WAN Show” channel) and check floatplane for early access videos and Q&A!