Episode 152 — Platforms Versus Aggregators

Episode 152 — Platforms Versus Aggregators

Author: Ben Thompson / James Allworth May 18, 2018 Duration: 51:56
Ben and James continue to discuss the differences between platforms and aggregators, including Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, Google, Netflix, Amazon, and Uber. Presented by WordPress.com: Get 15% off on a new site by visiting WordPress.com/Exponent. Links Ben Thompson: The Moat Map — Stratechery Ben Thompson: Books and Blogs — Stratechery Ben Thompson: Zillow, Aggregation, and Integration — Stratechery Ben Thompson: Tech’s Two Philosophies — Stratechery Ben Thompson: Casual Gaming is a Sustainable Business, but Not a Platform Differentiator — Stratechery Ben Thompson: Why Doesn’t Apple Enable Sustainable Businesses on the App Store? — Stratechery Ben Thompson: Apple’s China Problem — Stratechery … Continue reading Episode 152 — Platforms Versus Aggregators

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.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Exponent
Podcast Episodes
Episode 197 — ChatGPT (at Normal Speed) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:50
Ben and James reunite to discuss the potential impact of AI on white collar work. Subscribe to Stratechery Plus, including Sharp Tech and Sharp China. Links Ben Thompson: AI Homework — Stratechery Ben Thompson: An Interv…
Episode 196 — Forecasting the Metaverse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:51
Ben and James discuss Facebook and Microsoft’s metaverse announcements, and how the future might play out. Links Ben Thompson: Meta — Stratechery Ben Thompson: An Interview with Mark Zuckerberg about the Metaverse — Stra…
Episode 195 — Technological Revolutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:46
Are we in the middle of the IT revolution, or on the verge of something new? Links Ben Thompson: The Death and Birth of Technological Revolutions — Stratechery Ben Thompson: The End of the Beginning — Stratechery John Pe…
Episode 194 — Back on Spotify [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:18
Ben and James discuss the history of podcasts and why Spotify’s recent announcements are so compelling for creators. Links Ben Thompson: Spotify’s Surprise — Stratechery Episode 185 — Open, Free, and Spotify — Exponent B…
Episode 193 — Sovereign Podcasters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:22
Ben and James discuss Substack and the rise of the sovereign creator. Links Ben Thompson: Sovereign Writers and Substack — Stratechery Ben Thompson: Never-Ending Niches — Stratechery Bruno Maçães: History Has Begun — Hur…
Episode 192 — The Australian Perspective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:14
Ben and James discuss Australia’s Media Bargaining Code and its fall-out. Links Ben Thompson: Google Makes Deal With News Corp, Facebook Blocks News in Australia, Microsoft’s Shamelessness — Stratechery Daily Update Jame…
Episode 191 — Facebook, Twitter, and Trump [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:24
Ben and James discuss whether Facebook and Twitter should de-platform President Trump. Links Ben Thompson: Tech and Trump — Stratechery Ben Thompson: New Defaults — Stratechery James Allworth: Prioritizing Economics is C…
Episode 190 — Intel, Apple, Disruption, and Differentiation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:00
Ben and James discuss Apple’s new chip announcement and what it means for both Apple and Intel. Links James Allworth: Intel’s Disruption is Now Complete — Medium Ben Thompson: Apple’s Shifting Differentiation — Strateche…
Episode 189 — Bundles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:17
Ben and James discuss the state of bundles in 2020, including Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Microsoft, and Apple. Links Ben Thompson: 2020 Bundles — Stratechery Ben Thompson: The Great Unbundling — Stratechery Reed Hastings:…
Episode 188 — Big Tech, Antitrust, and Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:35
Ben and James discuss the antitrust subcommittee hearing, the problems of mixing antitrust and Aggregators, and how to think about regulation and democracy. Links Ben Thompson: Antitrust Politics — Stratechery The New Yo…