TBPN’s Lovable Underdog Era Ends
Welcome, Weekenders! In this newsletter: • The Big Read: A familiar Silicon Valley foe is the mastermind behind those explosive chatbot lawsuits • Tech Culture: San Francisco’s mecca for mad scientists eyes global expansion • Plus, Recommendations—our weekly pop culture picks: “ The Idiot ,” “ Dune Messiah ” and “ The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist ” Many, many, many people have had much to say in the last several days about OpenAI buying TBPN, the tech news livestream co-hosted by Jordi Hays and John Coogan. A good number of journalists took some shots at OpenAI’s purported vow to give the pair editorial independence, with some salvos aimed at the idea that as a pair of industry enthusiasts, Hays and Coogan seldom are critical enough to require editorial independence. But journalists can get much meaner, so I’d say TBPN has won some begrudging respect. And from mostly everyone else, the tone was congratulatory. The chatter’s quantity and tenor were predictable: Hays and Coogan excel at getting people to talk about them. They also make it real hard to dislike them. I suppose I could give them credit for having what the very online crowd might term as an abundance of rizz. I noticed it when I wrote about TBPN last year, and so did the writers who did subsequent stories about the show for The New York Times , Vanity Fair and The New Yorker . (As I said, the two are very good at generating
The era of TBPN, the beloved underdog tech news livestream co-hosted by Jordi Hays and John Coogan, has come to an end as OpenAI announces its acquisition of the platform. This news has sparked a wave of reactions from journalists and the tech community, with many expressing mixed feelings about the pair's editorial independence under the new ownership.
In recent days, the acquisition has been a hot topic, with journalists questioning OpenAI's commitment to maintaining Hays and Coogan's editorial freedom. Some have argued that as industry enthusiasts, the duo rarely criticize the tech world, making their independence less crucial. However, others have noted that journalists can be harsh, and TBPN has managed to garner begrudging respect from the industry. The majority of the public, on the other hand, has welcomed the news with enthusiasm.
Hays and Coogan's ability to generate conversation and enthusiasm has been a key factor in their success. Last year, when I first wrote about TBPN, I noticed their unique charm, a quality that has since been highlighted by writers from The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and The New Yorker. Their charisma and knack for engaging with the tech community have made them stand out in the industry.
When TBPN was an underdog, Hays and Coogan's non-traditional approach to media provided them with an edge over traditional outlets. They managed to gain access to influential figures in the tech world, who were more willing to speak openly with them than with corporate journalists. This ability to connect with key players in the industry has been a significant factor in TBPN's popularity.
Now, as they transition to OpenAI, Hays and Coogan's charisma will be put to the test. They will continue to host the show while also taking on a new role as in-house marketers for the corporate giant. The question remains whether their endearing personalities will still resonate with audiences under the umbrella of a large corporation.
The acquisition of TBPN by OpenAI marks the end of an era for the lovable underdogs. While some worry about the impact on their editorial independence, others celebrate the opportunity for growth and expansion. As Hays and Coogan navigate their new role, the tech community will be closely watching to see how they adapt and continue to captivate their audience.
