Episode 069 — Wrapped Around an Axle

Ben and James discuss how the aggregation of media led to a weakening of political parties, opening the door to unexpected candidates. Plus, why Facebook’s focus on engagement might be dangerous, and why diversity is important from day one.

This episode is sponsored by Wunder Capital. Make a good investment and do good at the same time through Wunder Capital’s solar investment opportunities. Create an account for free at WunderCapital.com/exponent.

Links

• Ben Thompson: The Voters Decide — Stratechery
• Ben Thompson: Aggregation Theory — Stratechery
• Ben Thompson: The FANG Playbook — Stratechery
• Ben Thompson: Netflix and the Conservation of Attractive Profits — Stratechery
• Hans Noel, Marty Cohen, David Karol and John Zaller: The Party Decides — The University of Chicago Press
• Clay Shirky: Social Media Has Turned Republican & Democratic Parties into Host Bodies for 3rd Party Candidates — Twitter
• The Most Important Voting Blocs Behind the Republican Candidates — The New York Times
• Facebook Conversations About Presidential Candidates for the Month of February — Facebook
• Fred Wilson: The Twitter Contradiction — AVC
• Ben Thompson: Friction — Stratechery
• Akrasia: “A lack of self-control or the state of acting against one’s better judgement” — Wikipedia
• Ben Thompson: Twitter Needs New Leadership — Stratechery

Wrapped Around an Axel

Hosts

• Ben Thompson, @benthompson, Stratechery
• James Allworth, @jamesallworth, Harvard Business Review

Podcast Information

• Feed
• iTunes
• SoundCloud
• Twitter
• Feedback
• Sponsorship Inquiry