All-In E36: New FTC Chair, breaking up big tech, government silent spying, Jon Stewart, wildfires & more

Lina Khan's FTC Appointment & Big Tech Regulation

• The Senate confirmed 32-year-old Lina Khan as FTC Chair with bipartisan support (69-28 vote)
• Khan is a prominent big tech critic who authored influential papers on Amazon's antitrust issues and platform/commerce separation
• Khan proposes practical solutions like splitting up Amazon Basics from Amazon's marketplace and separating Google Maps from Android
• The group discussed potential impacts of breaking up big tech:
  • Could be good for startups by freeing up talent currently locked into big tech companies
  • Consumer impact debated - may face higher prices but gain more choice
  • Critical that regulation maintains consumer benefits while addressing monopoly concerns

Government Surveillance & Apple's Gag Order

• DOJ subpoenaed Apple in 2018 for data on Trump's White House counsel Don McGahn and others
• Apple was under gag order and couldn't disclose the surveillance
• Group expressed concern about tech companies' role in government surveillance with no oversight
• Brad Smith (Microsoft) called for ending secret gag orders and protecting due process rights
• Highlights growing intersection between big tech power and government control

Jon Stewart's Lab Leak Theory Segment

• Stewart appeared on Colbert and forcefully argued for COVID lab leak theory through comedy
• Notable moment was his Hershey factory analogy
• Group observed the segment would have been censored on social media months ago
• Discussion of how comedy can address controversial topics when other forums are restricted
• Colbert appeared uncomfortable challenging Stewart's assertions

California Fire Season Concerns

• Record low snowpack (0% of normal) and extreme drought conditions in 40% of state
• Already burned 16,000 acres vs 3,600 same time last year
• Forest fires released 1.5x more carbon than cars in CA last year
• Discussion of forest management challenges and controlled burns
• Group concerned about potentially catastrophic fire season ahead
• Some members planning to leave CA during peak fire months

The episode highlighted growing concerns about government overreach, tech company power, and environmental challenges while maintaining the group's signature mix of detailed analysis and friendly banter.