> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://spyglass.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Dispatch 046: Yuge Day - URL: https://spyglass.org/dispatch-046-big-day-yuge-day/ - Published: 2025-01-20T14:45:05.000Z - Updated: 2025-01-20T14:47:26.000Z - Description: TikTok Trick • The Ban That Wasn't (But Still Might Be) • A Move to Community Notes • Blue Origin Soars • Perplexity Shoots Its (Long) Shot - Author: M.G. Siegler - Tags: newsletter, dispatch Happy MLK Day to those in the US. And Inauguration Day. And College Football Title Game Day. Jam-packed day off for many of you. No day off here. [There was pretty clear gamesmanship](https://spyglass.org/tricktok/) leading up to the ban of TikTok, *for a few hours* (lol), yesterday. And certainly some legally questionable handshake agreements. But will any of that help get *an actual deal* done? It sure sounds just as complicated as ever – if not more so... [TrickTokWith the TikTok ban, the Trump administration starts dealing…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/ca/afcaa655-46e2-45b8-889a-2881de5cce69/content/images/icon/Spyglass-Rings---Multi-322.png)SpyglassM.G. Siegler![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/ca/afcaa655-46e2-45b8-889a-2881de5cce69/content/images/thumbnail/image--72--1.jpg)](https://spyglass.org/tricktok/) 💡 Listening to ["Harrowdown Hill" by Thom Yorke](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRu%5FOabW6Sk&ab%5Fchannel=XLRecordings&ref=spyglass.org) ****Spyglass Dispatch** is a [newsletter](https://spyglass.org/newsletter/) sent on weekdays featuring links and commentary from ****M.G. Siegler** on timely topics found around the web. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. --- ### I Think... 🤳 [**Instagram and YouTube Prepare to Benefit From a TikTok Ban**](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/technology/instagram-youtube-tiktok-ban.html?ref=spyglass.org) \- Obviously, Meta and Google have been making moves behind-the-scenes to prepare for any sort of TikTok ban, with Instagram Reels seemingly better positioned than YouTube Shorts to take advantage of the situation. But with the ban over for now, the question becomes if any feeling of uncertainty – [perhaps around an *actual* sale/deal](https://spyglass.org/tricktok/) – still drives users away, or if they opt to stay on the "saved" TikTok. Certainly, you have to believe that [advertisers will be spooked](https://spyglass.org/the-end-of-tiktok/) when it comes to longer-term spend. Regardless, looking at the app store charts (and remember, while the TikTok *service* may be up and running the app still is not available for download as the companies running those seemingly want more than a Truth Social post before they restore...), it feels like many smaller startups – [including those based in China](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-042-tiktok-twitter/#:~:text=%2D%2D%20Candacce%2C,in%20social%20media.), which is [also a problem](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/18/tiktok-ban-china-rivals-congress-00199083?ref=spyglass.org) – are the ones benefitting from all of this swirl right now, with users seemingly using the uncertainty to try out some new options. Oh, and VPNs. They're a big winner too. \[**NYT**\] **👍** [**Facebook Without Fact-Checkers Will Put Truth to the Test**](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-17/facebook-without-fact-checkers-will-put-truth-to-the-test?ref=spyglass.org) – Interesting essay which details why something like Community Notes work on Xitter – and, notably, should work well on Meta's properties too. But with some caveats around speed. Still, such notes should be able to handle nuance and transparency better than full-on fact-checkers have done previously. All of this sounds good, and so it's really too bad that Mark Zuckerberg's [obviously political timing](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-045-the-tok-tiks-midnight/#:~:text=%22I%20do%20think,bit%20personal.) of announcing the change and some of his [off-the-cuff framing of tangential issues](https://spyglass.org/do-you-even-tech-bro/) have completely overshadowed the move. Also fun: the history of the English ox-weighing competition in 1907 that gave raise to the notion of the "wisdom of the crowds". 🐂 \[**Bloomberg** 🔒\] **🚀** [**Roar of New Glenn’s Engines Silences Skeptics of Bezos’ Blue Origin**](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/science/bezos-blue-origin-launch.html?ref=spyglass.org) – I missed this in the flurry of news last week – which itself is pretty incredible: that a startup can launch a rocket into space and it's largely overshadowed *by the ban of an app*. Anyway, it's awesome that this New Glenn launch was a success ([after many delays](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-042-tiktok-twitter/#:~:text=In%20other%20launch,reasons.%20%F0%9F%9A%80%20%5BNYT%5D)) and that we now have *two* credible companies outside of NASA for when it comes to getting stuff into space. Blue Origin hopes to do six to eight launches this year (versus the over 100 that SpaceX did last year), but should ramp quickly after that. Then it's off (back) to the Moon... (And no, they weren't able to land the booster back on a barge on the first try, which was a stretch goal – next time.) \[**NYT**\] **💰** [**Perplexity AI makes a bid to merge with TikTok U.S.**](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/18/perplexity-ai-makes-a-bid-to-merge-with-tiktok-us.html?ref=spyglass.org) – The AI startup threw up what [seemed to be a Hail Mary](https://bsky.app/profile/mgsiegler.com/post/3lg23g6f54s2y?ref=spyglass.org) on Saturday, right before the ban went into effect, because, I guess, why not? They were trying to sell the appeal of ByteDance's current shareholders continuing to hold their stakes in the new entity. But it would effectively be a much smaller startup (a "mere" $9B valuation) buying a much larger one (something "well north of $50B" valuation), so it's not clear why TikTok (or ByteDance, or China) would jump at that, unless they were really desperate. AI, I guess! But they clearly had other plans in motion... If I had to guess, as of now, if a deal actually happens (*still a big "if" at the moment*), I'd probably rank the companies involved in this order: 1. Oracle (boring, but perhaps [easiest/most obvious](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/business/oracle-tiktok-ban.html?ref=spyglass.org)) 2. [Elon Musk/Xitter/xAI](https://spyglass.org/twittertok/) 3. [Microsoft](https://spyglass.org/might-microsoft-make-another-run-at-tiktok/) 4. Meta (Zuck hasn't been [putting in](https://spyglass.org/zuckerberg-speech-about-face-book/) [the knee work](https://spyglass.org/one-million-dollars-to-trump/) [for nothing](https://spyglass.org/mark-zuckerbergs-totally-neutral-very-political-letter/)) 5. [Frank McCourt/Mr. Wonderful](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-040-the-case-for-a-for-profit-openai/#:~:text=The%20Frank%20McCourt,.%20%5BReuters%5D) (only if made into a reality TV show) Truth Social shockingly hasn't really been out there as another potential home, but it can't be fully ruled out in our [exciting new era of grift](https://spyglass.org/the-grift-that-keeps-giving/). Seriously, it's probably more likely than Perplexity as well right now. \[**CNBC**\] --- ### I Link... [Mark Zuckerberg Turns His Back on the MediaThe Meta CEO is abandoning his commitment to the truth in favor of a Trump-style playbook.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/ca/afcaa655-46e2-45b8-889a-2881de5cce69/content/images/icon/favicon-13.ico)WIREDSteven Levy![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/ca/afcaa655-46e2-45b8-889a-2881de5cce69/content/images/thumbnail/Plaintext-Zuckerberg-Media-Relationship-Business-2170596327.jpg)](https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-mark-zuckerberg-turns-his-back-on-the-media/?ref=spyglass.org) It's easy to read that Zuckerberg [has changed his stance](https://spyglass.org/zuckerberg-speech-about-face-book/) on something and think it's a normal, reasonable, and perhaps even rational thing to do. But when you keep the receipts – your notes – as Steven Levy did from a meeting he had with Zuckerberg on the topic of moderation and fact-checking a few years back, it's pretty wild to read how his stated stances at the time truly were *the exact opposite* of his new stances. Again, people can change their minds, but this makes him look far more [slippery](https://spyglass.org/dear-zuck/) and [political](https://spyglass.org/mark-zuckerbergs-totally-neutral-very-political-letter/) than he's attempting [to project](https://spyglass.org/do-you-even-tech-bro/) here. That matters because it raises a very real question: what else will he change his mind on if and when the wind shifts? 3 billion+ people would love to know. --- ### I Note... - Only one of the '**Magnificent 7**' will not be in attendance at **Donald Trump's inauguration** later today: **NVIDIA**. **Jensen Huang** says he simply had a scheduling conflict (he's on the road with colleagues and family celebrating the Lunar New Year) – still, hard to believe this would have stopped any of the other six... [Also of note](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/17/24345987/nvidia-jensen-huang-skips-trumps-inauguration?ref=spyglass.org): NVIDIA is [the one entity](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-040-the-case-for-a-for-profit-openai/#:~:text=In%20a%20footnote,to%20kiss%20here.) (or affiliate) of the seven that *hasn't* given [the $1M fealty payment](https://spyglass.org/one-million-dollars-to-trump/). \[[**Reuters**](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/nvidia-ceo-says-not-attending-trumps-inauguration-2025-01-17/?ref=spyglass.org)\] - Are all of the other six [going to be up on **Trump's** ~~trophy case~~ **dais**](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-044-a-super-switch/#:~:text=Speaking%20of%2C%20it%27s,a%20captured%20creature%3F)? Sure seems like it. Alongside the CEO of TikTok, [naturally](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-045-the-tok-tiks-midnight/#:~:text=As%20if%20we,background%3F%20%5BPolitico%5D). - **Apple** isn't likely to buy ([embattled](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-042-tiktok-twitter/#:~:text=%F0%9F%94%8A%20Sonos%20CEO,here.%20%5BBloomberg%20%F0%9F%94%92%5D)) **Sonos**, but **Amazon** or **Spotify** could, guesses Mark Gurman. \[[**Bloomberg**](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2025-01-19/sonos-woes-spark-apple-deal-talk-mail-with-ai-coming-in-macos-15-4-iphone-se?cmpid=BBD011925%5FPOWERON&ref=spyglass.org) 🔒\] - A *totally* not coordinated back-and-forth between **Mark Zuckerberg** and **Sheryl Sandberg** in [the response area on Threads](https://www.threads.net/@zuck/post/DE8CZDKSPkw?xmt=AQGzpYe1Ys5XjtYc3baDjV4eHT%5FcHndfQilQJwKto9YMlw&ref=spyglass.org) (in response to [the report](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/us/politics/stephen-miller-trump.html?ref=spyglass.org) that he [had thrown her under the bus](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-045-the-tok-tiks-midnight/#:~:text=%F0%9F%87%BA%F0%9F%87%B8%20Stephen%20Miller,!%20%5BNYT%5D) for Meta's "feminine" culture). Nothing to see here. Nothing at all. \[[**Engadget**](https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mark-zuckerberg-and-sheryl-sandberg-want-you-to-know-theyre-still-friends-and-definitely-not-mad-at-each-other-222145203.html?ref=spyglass.org)\] - To be fair, many other current and former female executives do seem to be giving honest thoughts and opinions on **Meta's internal culture** with regard to Zuckerberg and women. And I'm sure all of that is true – which is why [his "masculine" comments were so weird, and stupid](https://spyglass.org/do-you-even-tech-bro/). \[[**Threads**](https://www.threads.net/@naomigleit/post/DE83JRpsf65?xmt=AQGzJf19ckd%5FYMHB0eOeBd-Mh%5F1PQm9F6Imv-pFL56CAiw&ref=spyglass.org)\] - Also to be fair, ***NYT*** did update their wording on that particular passage without an official **correction**, which isn't the best look. \[[**Threads**](https://www.threads.net/@robaeprice/post/DE8i-zzuLJ%5F?xmt=AQGzJf19ckd%5FYMHB0eOeBd-Mh%5F1PQm9F6Imv-pFL56CAiw&ref=spyglass.org)\] - It felt like this report on some sort of new **"PhD-level super-agents"** coming soon from **OpenAI** was nebulous at best. But no less than *Axios* co-founders Mike Allen & Jim VandeHei put their names behind it, citing their sources in the government (which they say is due to get a briefing on the tech soon). \[[**Axios**](https://www.axios.com/2025/01/19/ai-superagent-openai-meta?ref=spyglass.org)\] - Sure enough, **Sam Altman** seemingly poured cold water on it – albeit indirectly – noting that "twitter hype is out of control again. **we are not gonna deploy AGI next month, nor have we built it.** we have some very cool stuff for you but pls chill and cut your expectations 100x!" \[[**Xitter**](https://x.com/sama/status/1881258443669172470?ref=spyglass.org)\] - To be fair, *Axios* couched it a bit, noting that it's not for sure OpenAI making the **"next-level breakthrough"** announcement. We'll see! - One thing **OpenAI** *did* do: create a model, **GPT-4b micro**, which can help scientists turn regular cells into stem cells, which might be the key to **de-aging** animals, including, perhaps, humans. Though this is all still just a demo (done in concert with another Altman-affiliated company, **Retro Biosciences**), not an actual product. Yet. \[[**MIT Tech Review**](https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/01/17/1110086/openai-has-created-an-ai-model-for-longevity-science/?ref=spyglass.org)\] - **Mira Murati’s** new (still unnamed) **AI startup** continues to pull in talent including from, yes, **OpenAI**... \[[**Wired**](https://www.wired.com/story/mira-murati-startup-hire-staff/?ref=spyglass.org)\] - Using **math** to predict this year's **Oscar nominees**... \[[**THR**](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/oscar-nominations-odds-ben-zauzmer-2025/?ref=spyglass.org)\] - **Lina Khan's** [parting](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-003/#:~:text=%F0%9F%92%B8%20How%20Lina,.%20%5BNYT%5D) gift to **Big Tech** appears to be a report noting **antitrust** concerns around **Microsoft's** investments into **OpenAI** plus **Amazon's** and **Google's** investments into **Anthropic**. Unclear if the FTC under the new administration will continue down this path – [but they might](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-028/#:~:text=%F0%9F%92%B8%20Trump%20Picks,.%20%5BNYT%5D). \[[**Bloomberg**](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-17/microsoft-openai-partnership-raises-antitrust-concerns-ftc?ref=spyglass.org) 🔒\] - More **TikTok** fall-out: - **Bluesky** gets a feed for **vertical videos**... \[[**TechCrunch**](https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/19/bluesky-launches-a-custom-feed-for-vertical-videos/?ref=spyglass.org)\] - **Xitter** too... \[[**TechCrunch**](https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/20/x-is-rolling-out-a-dedicated-vertical-video-feed-for-us-users/?ref=spyglass.org)\] - **Meta** is gearing up to launch a new app, **Edits**, to help creators better create such vertical videos – to rival **CapCut**, which is also owned by **ByteDance**. \[[**NYT**](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/technology/instagram-video-app-tiktok-ban.html?ref=spyglass.org)\] - **Marvel Snap**, a popular mobile card game based around the popular comic IP was also pulled because while it was developed in California, the publisher, as it turns out, is also owned by **ByteDance**. \[[**Verge**](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/19/24347034/marvel-snap-banned-tiktok-bytedance?ref=spyglass.org)\] - Unclear if this is related – presumably? – but it's also no longer hip to be square in **Instagram's** grid. \[[**Verge**](https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/17/24346304/instagram-profile-grids-rectangles-squares?ref=spyglass.org)\] - [The](https://www.techmeme.com/250119/p15?ref=spyglass.org#a250119p15) [**grift**](https://www.ft.com/content/1acbe335-3e5c-46c8-b7d9-b6a505285dab?ref=spyglass.org) [that](https://www.axios.com/2025/01/19/melania-trump-meme-coin-crypto?ref=spyglass.org) [keeps](https://spyglass.org/the-grift-that-keeps-giving/) [on](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/19/trump-crypto-meme-coin-launch-00199204?ref=spyglass.org) [giving](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/17/crypto-money-trump-inauguration-00199088?ref=spyglass.org)... \[[**NYT**](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/us/politics/trump-cryptocurrency-surges.html?ref=spyglass.org)\] - Meanwhile, and at least somewhat related (since the Trump [shitcoin](https://www.ft.com/content/5fb10ac4-b39e-48b7-a38b-6c71da2e555e?ref=spyglass.org) launched on Solana and not Ethereum), **Ethereum** is doing some sort of **re-org**, as [Vitalik Buterin detailed](https://x.com/VitalikButerin/status/1880635379771904423?ref=spyglass.org) a couple days ago... \[[**The Block**](https://www.theblock.co/post/335575/vitalik-buterin-details-large-changes-to-ethereum-foundation-leadership-amid-calls-for-new-leadership?ref=spyglass.org)\] - **DOGE's** first cut? Department co-lead, **Vivek Ramaswamy**, it seems. Before [the project](https://spyglass.org/dispatch-041-its-political-personal/#:~:text=%F0%9F%90%95%20Inside%20Elon,here.%20%5BNYT%5D) has even formally started. Talk about efficient! \[[**CBS News**](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vivek-ramaswamy-expected-to-depart-doge/?ref=spyglass.org)\] --- ### I Quote... > "I would have liked to have seen these reforms laid out in less contentious and partisan times, so that they would be considered on the merits rather than… Donald Trump is president and now they’re caving in." \-- **Michael McConnell**, the co-chair of Meta's Oversight Board, [on the](https://www.npr.org/2025/01/10/nx-s1-5253069/meta-oversight-board-co-chair-responds-to-companys-decision-to-end-fact-checking?ref=spyglass.org) content moderation and fact-checking changes [Mark Zuckerberg announced recently](https://spyglass.org/zuckerberg-speech-about-face-book/). --- ### I Spy... [Big ass rockets...](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/science/bezos-blue-origin-launch.html?ref=spyglass.org) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/af/ca/afcaa655-46e2-45b8-889a-2881de5cce69/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-20-at-1.57.48-PM.png)](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/science/bezos-blue-origin-launch.html?ref=spyglass.org) --- ## The Spyglass Dispatch A daily newsletter by M.G. Siegler Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. Sent from afar on weekdays...