Rocket

Documentarian Alex Winter visits the show to discuss his history with Usenet and Napster, and his new documentary The YouTube Effect. The film covers the history of the platform and its transformation into a massive vector of disinformation. Our conversation goes through that and much more, including the future of Section 230, and the media’s focus on TikTok and Facebook over YouTube.

There are rumors of a Nintendo Switch successor afoot, and we’re going to get to the bottom of it! Then, calling the Canadian link tax what it is: a link tax. And a bad idea. Finally, a fan has filed assault charges against Cardi B and we think that’s silly too.

Samsung’s latest event saw new versions of their folding phones, and they might have Brianna switching sides. Then, yeah, we have to talk about Elon Musk rebranding Twitter as X. But then it’s the marketing event we’ve all been waiting for, Rocket Does Barbie. Greta Gerwig’s latest film is out now and the reviews are unpredictable!

Big news on the FTC appeal against Microsoft, and what’s next for the merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. Who could possibly stand in their way!? And will they do a good job trying to stop this merger!? Then, Meta has released LLaMa 2, its large language model, which is not open source but a second, more interesting thing. Then, NBC News journalist Kat Tenbarge joins us to talk about James Charles’ attempts to uncancel himself.

Twitter is unraveling over Threads, with a threatened lawsuit on the horizon. Then, we’re checking in with the Bored Apes! How are they doing? Oh… oh. Finally, an important Slate piece from Luke Winkie asks: was Napoleon hot?

Meta has launched its major Twitter competitor, Threads, and there’s a LOT to talk about – from privacy issues, to onboarding, to BRANDS!! How will it fare in the Twitterclone-verse, much less… the fediverse? Then, Twitter itself has had a weird week, to say the least.

This week we’re discussing the Wall Street Journal’s extensive reporting on drug use among tech workers on Silicon Valley — from psilocybin to ketamine — and why it’s such a difficult, complicated issue to talk about. Then, the Mac Pro is here, but where are the Mac Pro Pros?? For dessert, an update on Bri’s search for the perfect drone!

The FTC is shaking and baking, with a lawsuit against Amazon for alleged dark patterns in the sign-up and cancellation process for Amazon Prime. But is this lawsuit really… it? Then, a feature at The Verge goes into the human labor that trains AI, and the shadow industry that makes it all work. For dessert: Brianna buys a drone!

The Reddit black-out has begun, and there is a lot of news coming out of Reddit’s conflict with Christian Selig and other third-party app developers, in the wake of Reddit’s API changes. We’ll be discussing that and a huge roadblock in Activision and Microsoft’s proposed merger. Plus, it was Summer Game Fest this weekend! What looks good? All of it, maybe? Even Starfield?

In news surprising no one, it’s an almost all-WWDC week here on Rocket! We’ve got OS updates and new MacBooks but the story sucking all the air out of the room is Apple Vision Pro headset. Christina interviews Inverse’s Raymond Wong, who demo’d the headset and has all the hands-on details. Plus, a money-grabbing choice by Reddit threatens beloved third-party apps.

Christina is back from Microsoft Build, with her take on all the tools that were announced during the event! Then, a panel of AI researchers has issued a statement that we need to mitigate the potential harm that could be caused by this explosive technology. What are some paths forward for doing that? And finally, Elizabeth Holmes has reported to prison and a debt is fulfilled.

Microsoft Build happened this week, along with a slew of AI-centric announcements! Brianna and Simone tackle the AI-integrated future of Windows 11 — are you ready to let ChatGPT buy you a house? Then, a disastrous Twitter Space has launched a new presidential candidate and we’re here to definitely just talk about the tech aspect of it. Also, Metal Gear Solid 3 is BACK!

Simone is off touching sheep so Bri and Christina are left to their own devices. This week, after a brief Liz Holmes update, that means a spoiler-free dessert-up-front segment on The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, a discussion about Twitter’s new CEO and finally a discussion about whether or not AM radios should still come with cars.

Google is bringing AI to its search — for select users. And our favorite scamster Elizabeth Holmes appears in the New York Times this week. Did the writer get rolled, or is it going over readers’ heads? For dessert, our old friend Bug of Spooky Pinball is back to talk about the new Scooby-Doo table!

A new form of a terrible old bill is before the Senate, and we can see indications of its effects in state-level bills in Utah and Louisiana. What’s KOSA and why should you be concerned? Then, because Bri is back from vacation we’re returning to Bluesky and talking about the bonkers events that happened over the weekend — as well as long-term concerns for how the app will be moderated. For dessert, a Gran Turismo trailer that slaps.

In shocking news, the U.K. has moved to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard — for reasons that make NO SENSE to our hosts! What goes on in the house of commons? Then, the decentralized Twitter clone Bluesky finally seems to be taking off, and Disney is suing Florida governor Ron DeSantis.

Christina and Simone are bringing you a classic chaos hour of Rocket. Today’s questions: is social media dying, and is it possible to build a platform that can thrive without turning users into content for ad revenue? Also, remembering Netflix’s mail-order heyday, now that it has announced the end of physical DVD rentals. Finally, a bombshell allegation about Taylor Swift’s dealings with FTX… the perfect Rocket cocktail.

Finally, the case of Brianna v. Christina is drawing to a close, as Elizabeth Holmes prison date looms… this week on Rocket, we’re talking about Twitter’s contentious relationship with journalism and the latest “quirks” of the platform, which include private tweets going public, and a feud with Substack. Then, HBO Max is rebranding… again! And finally, Fyre Fest 2. It’s been promised, so you know we’re packing our bags.

There are rumors swirling about a new PlayStation handheld — but can Sony really put out an online-only handheld and expect to compete with the Steam Deck and Switch? Then, the first ChatGPT defamation lawsuits are emerging, and the situation is a mess. Brianna has some controversial opinions about Ryan Gosling as Ken in the Barbie movie, and Simone is not young anymore.

It's FINALLY time to actually talk about the TikTok hearings, and our opinions on how Congress has handled grilling the social media giant — and the potential bills that they're considering. Then, what are the terms of SBF's bail? Just how much internet access can that man have? Finally, we're talking a rambly and non-spoilery review of John Wick 4, a movie that doesn't feel almost three hours long.