Casey Newton

Casey Newton, a journalist known for covering social media companies, and Mike Isaac, a technology reporter for The New York Times, delve into Mark Zuckerberg's surprising pivot toward more politically conservative positions. They analyze his evolving persona and the implications for Meta's 4 billion users. The discussion highlights Zuckerberg's historical struggles with public scrutiny, his controversial content moderation policies, and the ongoing challenges of misinformation in today's political landscape.

In this engaging discussion, technology journalists Kevin Roose and Casey Newton explore their ambitious project, the Forkiverse, an alternative social media platform. Kevin, the technical lead, shares insights on server setup, while Casey highlights the potential of the Fediverse in decentralizing social media. They debate the challenges of moderation and the user experience of a non-algorithmic feed. The duo passionately argues for experimentation over cynicism, inviting listeners to join their journey towards a more open digital landscape.

Casey Newton, Platformer editor who covers social media and algorithms. Renée DiResta, Georgetown researcher who studies misinformation and rumor spread. They probe how algorithms and product design steer users toward extreme content. They examine Silicon Valley incentives, political weaponization of disinformation, and attacks on researchers. Short, urgent conversations about attention, moderation, and fixing platform harms.

This week, Sean Hollister, a Senior reporter at The Verge, reveals the innovative features of Lego’s Smart Brick, exploring its programmable behaviors and the concerns surrounding creativity. He discusses how this tech could redefine play while maintaining its charm. Joining him, Casey Newton, founder of Platformer, dives into his productivity rituals, highlighting the benefits of journaling and task management systems. They share insights on using AI as an assistant for creativity and organization, making productivity both effective and engaging.

Bill Cohan, a financial journalist and Puck co-founder, joins tech experts Casey Newton, Joanna Stern, and Charlie Warzel to dissect the chaotic tech landscape of 2025. They tackle the rising AI bubble and economic disruption, while exploring the impact of Trump on the tech industry. Key topics include TikTok's ownership shuffle, the implications of Musk's antics, and the challenges posed by emerging technologies like home robots and disinformation on social media. The group shares predictions for 2026, hinting at a turbulent future ahead.

Casey Newton, founder of the Platformer newsletter and former editor at The Verge, discusses the turmoil in the media industry and the rise of independent newsletters. He shares insights on leaving Substack due to content moderation issues, highlighting the challenges of managing a small media team amidst financial pressures. The conversation dives into the complexities of audience engagement and the need for innovative models in journalism. With humor and candor, Casey explores the future of media in a rapidly changing landscape, stressing the importance of quality content over sensationalism.

Ashley Carman, technology reporter who covered Clubhouse firsthand, and Casey Newton, tech journalist and Platformer founder, dig into Clubhouse’s invite-only rise and pandemic-perfect audio format. They discuss celebrity drop-ins, VC influence, moderation and safety gaps, rapid scaling and copycat rivals. The conversation tracks its peak, decline, and a later pivot toward small-group, friend-focused audio.

Renée DiResta, an expert on online disinformation, Hany Farid, a pioneer in digital image forensics, and tech journalist Casey Newton delve into the ramifications of X's new in-app tool that allows users to alter photos. They discuss the alarming rise in non-consensual deepfakes, particularly involving minors. The guests tackle the failures of regulators and app stores to intervene, the incoherent free-speech defense of such abuses, and the need for accountability. Ultimately, they envision a safer internet while cautioning about the threat of advanced AI tools.

Casey Newton, the savvy author of Platformer and co-host of Hard Fork, dives deep into the tech landscape of 2024 and forecasts for 2025. He discusses the burgeoning influence of AI agents, as well as the fierce rivalry between Google and OpenAI. The conversation also touches on the potential impacts of a TikTok ban and political shifts on tech policies. Additionally, Newton speculates on Apple's possible acquisition of Snap and the future of self-driving cars and quantum computing. Tune in for a fascinating perspective on our digital future!

Tech reporter Casey Newton from Platformer dives into the intriguing evolution of OpenAI's leadership and its growing influence in the AI landscape. He discusses the recent reshuffling of the board and how Sam Altman has consolidated power, sparking debates about ethical concerns and organizational culture. The conversation touches on the alarming turnover rate at OpenAI, the implications of rapid technological advancements, and the societal fears surrounding AI's impact on jobs and democracy. It's a captivating look at the crossroads of innovation and responsibility.