Exponent

Exponent

Author: Ben Thompson / James Allworth Language: English Episodes: 100
Hosted by Ben Thompson and James Allworth, Exponent is a conversation that digs into the deeper currents shaping our world. The discussion moves beyond mere gadget reviews or Silicon Valley hype, focusing instead on how technology fundamentally reshapes business models, industries, and the very fabric of society. Thompson, known for his Stratechery blog on tech business strategy, and Allworth, a writer and co-author of "How Will You Measure Your Life," bring distinct but complementary perspectives. Each episode feels like a thoughtful dialogue, where ideas are examined from multiple angles. You’ll hear them analyze how a single platform can upend entire sectors, or debate the societal trade-offs that come with rapid innovation. This podcast is for anyone who wants to understand not just what is happening in tech, but why it matters. The conversations are detailed and often forward-looking, connecting strategic insights with their broader human implications. Listening feels like being a fly on the wall for a compelling weekly discussion between two sharp observers, making sense of the complex forces driven by technology.
Episodes
Episode 108 — Statistics Gone Wild [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:50
Ben and James discuss the meaning of artificial intelligence, whether machine learning qualifies, and a platform for dealing with the impact. Presented by MailChimp Links Chris Dixon: How Aristotle Created the Computer —…
Episode 107 — Smiling Curves and Self-Driving Cars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:01
Ben and James discuss the concept of The Smiling Curve and how it applies to various industries. Then, where value might be found in self-driving cars, and why both Uber and Google are getting it wrong. Presented by Mail…
Episode 106 — To Be an Outlaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:55
Ben and James discuss Uber’s recent scandals, and debate whether the company’s business actions can be separated from its culture. Presented by MailChimp Links Susan Fowler Rigetti: Reflecting on One Very, Very Strange Y…
Episode 105 — The Most Political [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:50
Ben and James discuss Mark Zuckerberg’s manifesto, the problem with regulation, and why Facebook needs exactly that. Presented by MailChimp Links Mark Zuckerberg: Building Global Community — Facebook Ben Thompson: Manife…
Episode 104 — Snap’s Gingerbread Strategy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:29
Ben and James compare Snap and Facebook to Apple and Microsoft, and worry that Snap’s business is misaligned. Presented by MailChimp Links Ben Thompson: Snap’s Apple Strategy — Stratechery Ben Thompson: The Truth About W…
Episode 103 — Dull Knives Don’t Cut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:12
Ben and James discuss what kind of politicians and products cut through in the Internet age, and why they are profoundly different than what worked before. Presented by MailChimp Links Ben Thompson: Inspired Media — Stra…
Episode 102 — Snakes and Ladders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:27
Ben and James discuss the history of messaging apps, the rise of Snapchat, and why Instagram Stories was such a brilliant move. NOTE: The original audio file had a problem at the 36:50 mark; if you encounter this, please…
Episode 101 — TV is the Oak Tree [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:02
Ben and James discuss why different types of media have responded to the Internet with varying degrees of success. Presented by MailChimp Links Ben Thompson: The Great Unbundling — Stratechery Chris Dixon: How Bundling B…
Episode 100 — The Anniversary Episode: iPhone and Exponent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:28
Ben and James celebrate two milestones: 10 years for the iPhone, and 100 episodes for Exponent. This is a good one: it in many respects summarizes the entire run of both Exponent and Stratechery. Presented by MailChimp L…
Episode 099 — Fate Has a Sense of Irony [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:31
Ben and James discuss Amazon Alexa and the history of operating systems Presented by MailChimp Links Is That an Echo? — Exponent Episode 070 Ben Thompson — The Amazon Tax We Have Always Been at War with Amazon — Exponent…

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