The Information

The Venture Capital Reset Era

By Jessica E. Lessin · Aug 23, 2024 12:33pm PDT · 4 comments

"This is a time for serious people, people who take this business seriously." The gang was back to business this week discussing the latest in the venture shakeout. Plus, the energy is back in the Bay again. And a fierce debate over the Starlink Mini. Also, we continue to experiment with transcripts and chapters for subscribers... "This is a time for serious people, people who take this business seriously." The gang...

Body Futurism and Why Gen Z is Ditching Tech

By Jessica E. Lessin · Aug 16, 2024 12:34pm PDT

Co-hosting a podcast often allows me to riff on a topic that I'd like to learn more about. For me, one of those topics has been what's going on with younger generations and tech. Young people are immersed in technology. But lately it has seemed like they are also ditching it too. I knew my co-hosts would have some smart opinions. And... Co-hosting a podcast often allows me to riff on a topic that I'd like to learn more about....

Can Google Outrun Regulation?

By Jessica E. Lessin · Aug 9, 2024 11:36am PDT · 1 comment

Another bustling week in tech... and on More or Less. After taping this week's episode—which covers everything from why Instagram products are so expensive to my new podcast obsession—we all looked at each other and said, "What are we going to title this one?" I hope you enjoy and that it jogs some new ideas loose in... Another bustling week in tech... and on More or Less. After taping this week's...

Zuckerberg’s Open Source AI Manifesto

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jul 26, 2024 3:06pm PDT

Zuckerberg’s Open Source AI Manifesto

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jul 26, 2024 3:06pm PDT

This week on More or Less, we took a deep dive into Mark Zuckerberg's latest open source AI crusade and what's missing from the strategy. Plus, the Morins school the Lessins on Brat and all the latest in pop culture. Hope you enjoy! Apple Spotify This week on More or Less, we took a deep dive into Mark Zuckerberg's latest open source AI...

Trump and the PayPal Mafia

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jul 19, 2024 10:28am PDT · 1 comment

Early in this episode, Dave raised an interesting question: Why is it that many of the tech leaders who support Trump worked at PayPal? This week, the gang shares what we are hearing through the backchannels about this fascinating moment. I hope you enjoy. Apple Spotify Early in this episode, Dave raised an interesting question: Why is it that many of the tech...

The Modern Press Playbook with Jess

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jul 12, 2024 12:12pm PDT

What a surprise this week when Brit and Dave turned the tables and grilled me about PR and my advice for companies and investors who want to—or have to—deal with the press. It is quite an interesting time in the press vs. corporate relationship, and I hope my tips were useful. Plus, of course, more on the latest silly summer tech... What a surprise this week when Brit and Dave turned the tables and grilled me about PR and my...

Sun Valley, Tennis and Robots: Summer Adventure Preview

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jul 5, 2024 10:23am PDT · 1 comment

We hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July. My how summer is flying by! Next week marks the start of Allen & Co.'s Sun Valley mogul-fest. And while, in many ways, the event is becoming less important to the tech conversation, I think this year will be interesting, as I lay out. Plus, Sam's very, very definitive guide to... We hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July. My how summer is flying by! Next week marks...

What We Got Wrong—and Right—in a Year of More or Less

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jun 28, 2024 10:28am PDT

What We Got Wrong—and Right—in a Year of More or Less

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jun 28, 2024 10:28am PDT

Would Threads would overtake X? Will Sam Altman be toast? After 52 lively episodes, we looked back on some of our big themes, gave ourselves some grades and looked to the next year in tech. Hope you enjoy! Apple Spotify Would Threads would overtake X? Will Sam Altman be toast? After 52 lively episodes, we...

Elad Gil on What to Build in AI (Part II)

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jun 21, 2024 10:56am PDT · 1 comment

Happy 1st birthday to the More or Less podcast! We marked the special occasion with a continuation of our What to Build series, featuring the always sharp Elad Gil. Gil was making big investments in AI before it was cool and has a lot to say about how to value the market today and how he thinks about exit opportunities for AI startups. Plus, we... Happy 1st birthday to the More or Less podcast! We marked the special occasion with a...

In Conversation With Vinod Khosla: Apple, OpenAI and the Future of Seed Investing

By Jessica E. Lessin · Jun 14, 2024 11:40am PDT · 3 comments

“Can we stay on strawberries for a minute?” Vinod Khosla asked me. About halfway into our hour-long conversation with Vinod Khosla on “More or Less” this week, we found ourselves deep in the topic of artificial intelligence–generated strawberries. (I wanted to talk about media owners protecting their intellectual... “Can we stay on strawberries for a minute?” Vinod Khosla asked me. About halfway into...

The Big Ass Calendar… and Other Things NOT to Google

By Jessica E. Lessin · May 31, 2024 3:12pm PDT · 1 comment

While I was off discussing AI and media, the rest of the More or Less gang was.... discussing AI and media! I loved this podcast (as a listener) and know you will too. And Brit, I want my office back! Have a great weekend. Apple Spotify While I was off discussing AI and media, the rest of the More or Less gang was.... discussing AI...

Move Fast (But Don’t) Break Silicon Valley

By Jessica E. Lessin · May 24, 2024 9:31am PDT

Move Fast (But Don’t) Break Silicon Valley

By Jessica E. Lessin · May 24, 2024 9:31am PDT

So much news. So much weird. This week, on More or Less, we discussed the latest on OpenAI and ScarJo, Humane's fire sale, Slack's poor AI judgment and more. Plus, a preview of what we're all looking forward to this summer. Hope you enjoy, and have a great Memorial Day weekend! Apple Spotify So much news. So much weird. This week, on More or Less, we discussed the latest on OpenAI...

Algorithm-Proof Media and New Twists in the AI War

By Jessica E. Lessin · May 17, 2024 11:53am PDT

There is a debate brewing on the More or Less pod: "Do we have to talk about AI again?" Of course, you can't escape AI these days, and we won't avoid it. But we also feel the fatigue. Perhaps that is why, on cue, Sam (almost) declared himself an AI bull! Have a great weekend, and I hope you enjoy this episode. Apple ... There is a debate brewing on the More or Less pod: "Do we have to talk about AI...

Is Social Media Dead?

By Jessica E. Lessin · May 10, 2024 2:36pm PDT · 1 comment

This week, we addressed a topic that is often on my mind: our social media diets. I've been thinking a lot about mine, and it turns out that my friends and husband have too! That topic plus a very spirited debate about Apple's iPad ad and the broader significance of the controversy. Also, the latest in socks and sleep. I hope you enjoy.... This week, we addressed a topic that is often on my mind: our social media diets. I've been...

How Tech Cos. Quit the Culture Wars

By Jessica E. Lessin · May 3, 2024 1:03pm PDT

Amid the wave of campus protests and encampments, I've been surprised there hasn't been more conversation about activism at tech companies. This week, we dove into why things have been quiet on the corporate front and why everyone is talking about hardware, "boring phones" and games. Enjoy! Apple Spotify Amid the wave of campus protests and encampments, I've been surprised there hasn't been...

The Tortured Venture Capitalists Department

By Jessica E. Lessin · Apr 26, 2024 10:43am PDT

The Tortured Venture Capitalists Department

By Jessica E. Lessin · Apr 26, 2024 10:43am PDT

As the only non-venture capitalist on the More or Less podcast, I sometimes view these episodes as my window into VC therapy. And so, with Taylor Swift on my mind, I felt the angst of my VC compatriots as we recorded this week. We spent most of the time talking about another asset class: hedge funds and why there isn't likely to be another... As the only non-venture capitalist on the More or Less podcast, I sometimes view these episodes...

TikTok’s New App, Tesla’s Sunken Stock, Are Tech Workers Leaving Silicon Valley?

By Jessica E. Lessin · Apr 19, 2024 10:31am PDT · 2 comments

The companies change but the debates stay the same. I was thinking about that during this week's recording of More or Less as we debated the future of Tesla—the technology and car company. Or is it just a car company? That plus, why TikTok launched its new app and a breakdown of some misleading tech worker statistics. Hope you... The companies change but the debates stay the same. I was thinking about that during this...

OpenAI, IP Theft and a New Incentive Structure for the Internet

By Jessica E. Lessin · Apr 12, 2024 11:39am PDT

I'm just back from New York where it has been a whirlwind week for The Information and, of course, the tech and finance industries. We covered so much of it on the pod—with so much zeal (or was it fatigue?) that Sam called me punchy! Hope you enjoy. Apple Spotify I'm just back from New York where it has been a whirlwind week for The Information and, of...

Is AI Killing Media?

By Jessica E. Lessin · Apr 6, 2024 1:46pm PDT · 1 comment

If there is something that really gets this crew's juices flowing it is, apparently, debating streaming video entertainment! This week's episode features a lively debate about a new trend plus a look at where AI is already disrupting media—and where it probably won't. Enjoy! Apple Spotify If there is something that really gets this crew's juices flowing it is,...

Reddit IPO, Apple v. DOJ and the Return of the Power Lunch

By Jessica E. Lessin · Mar 29, 2024 12:04pm PDT · 1 comment

Reddit IPO, Apple v. DOJ and the Return of the Power Lunch

By Jessica E. Lessin · Mar 29, 2024 12:04pm PDT · 1 comment

This week's More or Less was an ode to the return of in-person business. Plus, how VCs are breaking down the Reddit IPO and more. Hope you enjoy. Apple Spotify This week's More or Less was an ode to the return of in-person business. Plus, how VCs are...