Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson, founder of Stratechery and leading tech analyst, shares big-picture takes on aggregation, ads as a societal good, and why TikTok’s algorithm is the core national-security worry. He explores AI’s role as a new aggregator, looming chip-supply risks around 2029, and how agentic commerce and ad models may evolve.

Ben Thompson, founder of Stratechery and noted tech strategist, discusses the Anthropic–Pentagon standoff and his essay 'Anthropic and Alignment.' He explores how powerful AI attracts political and military interest. Short takes cover surveillance risks, chip geopolitics and Taiwan, why governments may coerce private firms, and why legal solutions matter more than private refusals.

Ben Thompson, founder of Stratechery, shares insights celebrating a decade of his influential work at the crossroads of business and technology. He discusses pioneering subscription models that have shaped digital media, and the evolution of Stratechery into a broader content platform. Thompson elaborates on navigating audience engagement, balancing subscriber dynamics, and the transformative impact of tech on venture capital. Personal anecdotes add depth as he reflects on his journey and the cultural nuances that influence content creation.

Ben Thompson, founder of the influential blog Stratechery, dives into the business of writing and how he turned his passion into a lucrative venture. He discusses the importance of crafting compelling narratives and the art of making first drafts flow smoothly under pressure. Thompson shares insights on enhancing engagement with subscribers and navigating the digital content landscape. He also reflects on the challenges of reaching a niche audience and the impact of storytelling in both writing and speech, providing listeners with a roadmap to monetize their own writing.

Today’s guest is Stratechery author and founder Ben Thompson. If you’re an investor in Silicon Valley, work at a tech start-up, or just love to geek out on technology and business analysis, odds are good that Stratechery is on your short list of must-read blogs. What started as a side project, quickly ballooned into one of the most influential tech blogs on the web. The New York Times called Stratechery, “one of the most interesting sources of analysis on any subject.” I agree. In this interview, Ben and I cover a lot of ground. Here are a few of the things we discuss: Learn once and for all how to pronounce Stratechery. :) How Ben’s business model was developed and how he massaged it over the years to become what it is today The one metric Ben looks at each day to gauge the health of his business How Ben deals with people who rip off his work and pass it off as their own Ben’s thoughts on pricing, free trials, content and other important aspects of online membership sites How Ben structures his day to churn out such incredible content so consistently How Ben handles being wrong on his site, and his process for screening his work for confirmation bias How the internet has changed the traditional view of supply and demand, and what companies should do about it What Ben would teach an MBA class about internet strategy (if you do any business online, you need to hear this) What it would take for a start-up to overtake Google or Apple, and the vulnerabilities that all companies share, no matter how big or profitable The new era of technology and how companies like Netflix, Airbnb, and Amazon are doing it right (and what you can do in your own business to take full advantage) This is one of the most jam-packed interviews I’ve done on the Knowledge Project. Ben’s answers are so thoughtful and informative that you’re going to want to have a notebook handy.   Go Premium: Members get early access, ad-free episodes, hand-edited transcripts, searchable transcripts, member-only episodes, and more. Sign up at: https://fs.blog/membership/   Every Sunday our newsletter shares timeless insights and ideas that you can use at work and home. Add it to your inbox: https://fs.blog/newsletter/   Follow Shane on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ShaneAParrish   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Lowe, an NBA analyst for ESPN, breaks down the Thunder's playoff defensive prowess. Ariel Helwani, an MMA journalist, and Sean Fennessey, a film critic, share their excitement about the new film 'The Smashing Machine' while discussing the Knicks' resurgence. Ben Thompson, a tech and business strategist, dives into intriguing trade scenarios for Giannis Antetokounmpo, analyzing their implications for team dynamics and the league at large. This dynamic conversation covers sports, nostalgia, and the intersection of culture and strategy.

Ben Thompson, technology analyst and Stratechery author, weighs in on AI’s clash with state power and surveillance. He discusses comparisons to nuclear proliferation, the geopolitics of Taiwan and chip supply chains, and why legal and political remedies matter more than private resistance. Short, sharp conversations about military leverage, industry-government ties, and the limits of corporate autonomy.

In this fascinating conversation, Ben Thompson, author of the Stratechery newsletter, delves into the profound impact of generative AI on the tech landscape. He highlights the excitement surrounding tools like ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion and contrasts AI's potential with the limitations of cryptocurrency. The discussion also navigates Google's advertising challenges, the evolving role of AI in mobile technology, and OpenAI's partnership with Microsoft. Thompson paints a picture of a transformative era in technology that will reshape our digital interactions.

Ben Thompson, author of the influential newsletter Stratechery, dives deep into the world of business strategy. He discusses his aggregation theory, exploring how digital platforms like Google and Netflix reshape industries. The nuances of platform vs. aggregator are examined with Shopify and Amazon as case studies. Thompson also addresses the cyclical nature of tech disruption and the importance of value chain thinking. His insights on building successful businesses and navigating competition offer valuable lessons for the future of technology.

Augustus Doricko, founder of Rainmaker, discusses the intense scrutiny his cloud seeding startup faces after tragic floods in Texas, revealing the complex interplay between weather modification and public safety. Meanwhile, Ben Thompson, founder of Stratechery, dives into the tech industry's current landscape, dissecting the launch of Grok 4 and the competitive browser wars. The conversation also touches on Meta's advancements in smart glasses, exploring the implications of these innovations in a fast-evolving market.