Wed. 01/08 – Fallout From Meta’s Content Moderation Changes

Jan 8, 2025 16m

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Episode Description

Tons and tons of controversy and fallout from Meta’s announced content moderation changes yesterday. I’ve got I think a fair, comprehensive rundown of all the angles. Interesting new rounds for Bluesky and Anthropic. And the coolest stuff I’ve seen from CES thus far, including: are rollable laptop screens finally ready for prime time? Sponsors: Acorns.com/ride Links: Meta’s fact-checking changes are just what Trump’s FCC head asked for (The Verge) Social-Media Companies Decide Content Moderation Is Trending Down (WSJ) AI Startup Anthropic Raising Funds Valuing It at $60 Billion (WSJ) Lenovo’s Latest Laptop Has a Rollable OLED Screen (Wired) BMW’s new iDrive turns the whole windshield into a heads-up display (The Verge) New Nike Therapeutic Shoes at CES 2025 Look Like Nothing You've Ever Seen Before (CNET) EcoFlow’s Solar hat is better for the planet than your style (Engadget) Anker made a solar beach umbrella, because of course (Engadget) This Slim Little Battery I Saw at CES 2025 Is Like a Tesla Powerwall for Your Fridge (CNET) I Watched a Printer-Size Gadget Boost a Phone's Battery Life in Seconds (CNET) This toaster-looking gadget boosts your phone’s battery in seconds (The Verge) If you’re constantly losing cables, this could be your ideal charger (The Verge)

AI-Generated Summary

Controversy Surrounding Meta's Content Moderation Changes

In this episode, Brian discusses the backlash against Meta's recent announcement to change its content moderation processes. The decision stirred internal dissent among employees and external criticism from fact-checking organizations, who felt blindsided by the pivot. Much of the controversy links to speculation that these changes were designed to gain favor with the incoming Trump administration. This paints a picture of social media platforms adapting their policies in response to political pressures, raising concerns about the implications on hate speech and misinformation.

Funding Developments in AI Startups

The episode shares exciting updates regarding funding rounds for emerging tech players like Blue Sky and Anthropic. Blue Sky is reportedly closing a new funding round valuing it at $700 million led by Bain Capital Ventures, while Anthropic is in talks to raise $2 billion at a $60 billion valuation, primarily funded by Amazon. The competition in the AI space continues to heat up, with notable dollars being allocated to startups poised for rapid growth and influence.

Innovations from CES 2025

Brian highlights some of the most intriguing tech reveals at CES 2025, focusing on the rollable laptop screens, specifically Lenovo's Thinkbook Plus Gen 6. This innovative device features a 14-inch screen that can extend to 16.7 inches, aiming to optimize productivity without the hassle of carrying additional monitors. Additionally, other notable CES innovations include futuristic smart car windshields that provide heads-up displays, Nike's recovery footwear, and sustainable solar products, showing a convergence of technology with everyday applications.