Platform Shifts

People vs Algorithms

As Alex says, the ground is shifting more and faster than it has in some time in the tech world, which usually means gaping craters are opened to swallow up media companies. We discuss the Reddit IPO, X apparently pivoting to video – we recorded this prior to Don Lemmon announcing he wouldn’t be launching his show on X after an apparently disastrous interview with Elon Musk pissed off Musk, go figure – and the effort to ban TikTok.

We also have a guest this week. Tony Stubblebine joined us to discuss where Medium fits in the information space. We talked to Tony about how Medium aims to be the place for expert content, why journalism is apparently expensive to produce because journalists have to learn about the stuff they cover, and the frequent misalignment of incentives in the media business, particularly ones reliant on advertising.

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Topics:

• 00:00 Introducing the Voicemail Feature: A New Way to Engage
• 01:44 Welcome to People vs. Algorithms: Unpacking Media and Tech Shifts
• 02:06 Deep Dive into Reddit's IPO and the Future of Social Platforms
• 02:44 Exploring Medium's Journey and Its Place in the Digital World
• 04:29 Listener Engagement and the Future of Podcasting
• 05:18 Analyzing Reddit's Strategy and Its Impact on the Digital Landscape
• 16:17 X Pivoting to Video
• 19:46 The Controversial Debate: The Potential TikTok Ban
• 25:20 Apple's Strategy and the Shifting Tech Landscape
• 32:21 Medium's New Direction Under CEO Tony Stubblebine
• 40:44 Evaluating Medium's Pivot to Subscription and Target Author Strategy
• 41:26 The Power of Expert Content in the Digital Age
• 43:03 The Debate Over Text vs. Video Content
• 44:05 The Importance of Writing in an Evolving Internet
• 44:55 Addressing Changing Consumer Habits and Content Consumption
• 48:56 The Future of Twitter and Social Media Platforms
• 50:36 Exploring Federation and Content Distribution Strategies
• 51:37 Navigating Negotiations with AI Companies
• 55:17 The Potential and Challenges of Reddit's IPO
• 58:13 The Role of Medium in Independent Expert Content Creation
• 59:39 Reflecting on the State of Professional Media
• 01:08:33 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
• 01:11:12 The Impact of Advertising on Business and Culture