History suggests that Stories will be an advertising success; then, the Alex Jones episode shows how un-monopoly-like social networks are.
The Bill Gates Line Follow-up, Twitter and the Bill Gates Line, Data Portability and Facebook
Following up on The Bill Gates Line, applying it to Twitter, and then why Facebook portability is a bad idea.
Spotify’s New Hate Policy, Twitter’s Behavior Policy, YouTube Music and YouTube Premium
Spotify’s new hate policy and Twitter’s behavior policy seem like good things at first glance, but what they suggest about the companies’s power is worrisome. Plus, YouTube’s subscription plans are as confusing as ever.
Twitter’s Earnings; The End of TellApart; Direct Versus Brand Marketing, and Size
Twitter’s earnings were both less and more impressive than they appeared; plus, a lesson I have learned about direct versus brand advertising, and what it means for both Twitter and Snap.
The Pollyannish Assumption and Bright Lines, YouTube’s Market Power, Google vs Amazon
Society collectively decides what is wrong through laws: that’s a useful bright line for platforms. Then, YouTube is demonstrating its market power, and Google and Amazon are acting like monopolies.
The Pollyannish Assumption
Moderating user-generated content is hard: it is easier, though, with a realistic understanding that the Internet reflects humanity — it is capable of both good and evil.
Bob Lutz on the Future of the Automobile, Uber and Lyft Ban Rider, Twitter’s Verification Mess
If the only way to get a ride is through a transportation company, should your political views matter? Twitter is, unintentionally, making that a moot point by setting the stage for regulation.
Tech Goes to Washington
Facebook, Google, and Twitter testified before a Senate committee: it provided evidence of how tech prefers power over decentralization, even if it means regulation
Toys ‘R’ Us Goes Bankrupt; Debt, the Internet, Forests and Trees; Twitter: The Good and the Bad
Toys ‘R’ Us went bankrupt because of debt, not e-commerce; that said, debt was a problem because private equity didn’t consider e-commerce. Then, Twitter gives good news and bad news.
Twitter’s Earnings, Twitter’s Video Push, Amazon’s Earnings
Twitter’s earnings were encouraging when it comes to user growth, but the company’s focus on video is a disappointment. Then, Amazon’s earnings were mixed: AWS has competition, but e-commerce is dominant.