All-In E64: Antitrust standards & enforcement, tech repricing, lab leak obfuscation, E63 reactions & more
Episode 64 • 1/22/2022
Opening Statements and Previous Episode Follow-up
- Chamath and David Sacks addressed reactions to their comments from E63 regarding human rights and the Uyghur situation in China
- Both clarified their positions and emphasized they care deeply about human rights issues
- Discussion about the nature of the podcast as a place for open dialogue between friends
Microsoft-Activision Deal & New Antitrust Standards
- Microsoft announced $68B acquisition of Activision Blizzard
- FTC Chair Lina Khan introduced new antitrust evaluation standards focusing on future competition rather than consumer harm
- Group debated merits of new standards, with concerns about:
- Subjectivity in evaluating "reduced competition"
- Political influence in merger approvals
- Impact on business certainty and M&A activity
Market Corrections & Tech Valuations
- Discussion of current market correction, particularly in tech stocks
- Netflix stock drop from $700 to $392 highlighted as example
- Debate about different types of tech companies:
- Mid-tech companies (like Peloton, Zoom) down 50-80%
- Big tech relatively stable, down 10-15%
- Group predicted we're in "8th inning" of tech drawdown
COVID-19 Lab Leak Theory
- New emails revealed through FOIA requests show early NIH discussions about virus origins
- Discussion of Fauci's and Peter Daszak's roles in potentially suppressing lab leak theory
- Debate about politicization of the issue and media coverage
- Group emphasized need for honest accounting of pandemic origins
School Closures Impact
- Discussion of Flint, Michigan schools shutting down indefinitely
- Concerns about:
- Impact on underprivileged students (90% minority, 80% poverty)
- Long-term learning loss
- Economic impact estimated at $17 trillion worldwide
- Group advocated for keeping schools open
The episode highlighted several critical issues facing technology, markets, and society, with particular emphasis on the need for transparency and honest discussion of controversial topics.