Blue Origin Lands Rocket, Valve Drops Steam Machine, Cantor Group Surges | Diet TBPN

Overview

This episode dives into Blue Origin's milestone rocket landing, the competitive dynamics of the commercial space industry, Valve's new hardware announcements, and broader discussions on innovation, market dynamics, and emerging technologies.

Notable Quotes

- In any other industry, if a founder came to you and said, 'We're a decade behind the leading company, but we're staying with it for another decade,' you'd be like, what? - John Coogan, on Blue Origin's perseverance despite lagging behind SpaceX.

- Digital necromancy to capitalize on the grief of the vulnerable. Straight to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200. - Jordi Hays, critiquing the concept of AI recreations of deceased loved ones.

- The flow only gives to those who give their all. It reads like the plot of a horror film. - John Coogan, reflecting on the relentless nature of venture capital culture.

🚀 Blue Origin's Rocket Landing and Space Race Dynamics

- Blue Origin successfully landed its New Glenn rocket booster on a barge, becoming the second company after SpaceX to achieve this feat.

- John Coogan highlighted the significance of this milestone, noting that while Blue Origin is a decade behind SpaceX, it remains a major player in the space race.

- The discussion touched on the challenges of competing with SpaceX, including Blue Origin's slower progress and lack of a Starship equivalent.

- The hosts debated the economic viability of Blue Origin, with Jordi Hays likening it to a passion project for Jeff Bezos, akin to a big tech worker running a loss-making café for fun.

🎮 Valve's New Hardware Lineup

- Valve announced three new gaming hardware products, including updates to the Steam Machine and a next-generation VR headset.

- The hosts praised Valve's quirky and gamer-friendly branding, noting its ability to build trust in hardware despite being a private company.

- Jordi Hays remarked on the growing dominance of Steam in the gaming industry, suggesting there's no reason to get an Xbox anymore.

💼 Employee Incentives and Market Valuations

- The conversation explored the disparity in employee incentives between SpaceX and Blue Origin. SpaceX's regular tender offers provide liquidity for employees, while Blue Origin's lack of such options has left some employees feeling undervalued.

- The hosts speculated on Blue Origin's potential valuation, estimating it could trade in the high tens of billions if it were a public company, though still far behind SpaceX.

🕹️ The Future of Gaming and Hardware Innovation

- The hosts discussed the evolution of gaming hardware, including the potential for modular designs and the importance of building trust with consumers.

- They highlighted the appeal of Valve's new VR headset, which promises to stream both VR and non-VR games wirelessly, and debated the aesthetics of the new Steam Frame product.

🧠 Ethical Concerns in AI and Emerging Tech

- The hosts critiqued a concept for AI recreations of deceased loved ones, calling it exploitative and morally questionable. Jordi Hays noted the potential demand for such technology but expressed personal discomfort with the idea.

- They also touched on the AI bubble, suggesting it may have already burst, and discussed the challenges of sustaining high valuations in the tech industry.

- The episode concluded with a lighthearted discussion on the fastest objects in sports and speculation about Tesla's potential flying car demo.