Diet TBPN: October 29, 2025

Overview

This episode dives into the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut, the launch of the 1X humanoid robot, the economics of tele-operated robotics, the rise of live shopping in the U.S., and the implications of geopolitical moves in AI and technology.

Notable Quotes

- This thing looks cute, but the second it's got like a kitchen knife in its hand and it's looking at you, does it really look that cute? - Jordi Hays, on the unsettling potential of humanoid robots.

- When you're going after these frontier technologies, these really broad moonshots, you just wind up burning money for a decade, potentially. - John Coogan, on the financial challenges of developing cutting-edge tech.

- Buy the robot, get hired as a remote robot operator. Become your own robot. This is the job of the future, folks. - Jordi Hays, on the potential for tele-operated robots to create new job opportunities.

🤑 Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Cut

- The Federal Reserve announced a 0.25% cut in borrowing costs, marking the second reduction in recent times.

- Jordi Hays and John Coogan humorously discussed the implications, with Jordi quipping about cutting into froth.

🤖 The 1X Humanoid Robot Launch

- The 1X robot, a tele-operated humanoid, has sparked mixed reactions online.

- John Coogan clarified that the robot is not fully autonomous but relies on human tele-operation for complex tasks.

- Tyler explained the robot's expert mode, where a human operator can intervene during challenging tasks.

- Privacy concerns were raised about having a partially human-controlled robot in homes.

💸 Economics of Tele-Operated Robots

- The 1X robot is priced at $20,000 or $500/month, with additional costs for tele-operation by 1X experts based in the U.S.

- Jordi Hays and John Coogan discussed the financial challenges of scaling such a model, noting the high labor costs for tele-operators.

- The hosts compared the business model to other moonshot technologies like Waymo and Reality Labs, emphasizing the long-term financial risks and rewards.

🛍️ Live Shopping's Rise in the U.S.

- Whatnot, a live shopping platform, raised $225 million at an $11.5 billion valuation, signaling the growing popularity of live shopping in the U.S.

- Jordi Hays and John Coogan contrasted the U.S. market's focus on collectibles with China's broader live shopping trends, which include everyday items like vegetables.

🌍 Geopolitics and AI Technology

- The hosts discussed the potential implications of former President Trump's suggestion to provide China with access to Nvidia's Blackwell chips as part of a trade deal.

- John Coogan described this as part of a modern information war between the U.S. and China, highlighting the strategic importance of AI and technology in global power dynamics.