Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
This week, we're republishing a conversation from last month between Noah Smith and Substack CEO Chris Best, originally streamed on Substack Live. They discuss the future of media in an AI-driven world, including Noah's vision for AI-powered newsletters, the rise of independent voices, and the evolving roles of platforms like TikTok and Twitter. The conversation also explores Substack's potential as a breaking news hub, the broader impact of AI on content creation, shifting U.S.-China relations, and the role of industrial policy in shaping global dynamics.
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SPONSORS:
NetSuite
More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: netsuite.com/102
Shopify
Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/momentofzen.
AdQuick
The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit adquick.com today to start reaching your customers in the real world.
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SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
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FOLLOW ON X:
@noahpinion
@cjgbest
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
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RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
The Age of Twitter is finally ending. Can Substack take its place?: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-age-of-twitter-is-finally-ending
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:38) Future of media with AI
(02:19) Independent voices and media trends
(03:18) Role of platforms in media
(05:00) Substack as a breaking news platform
(13:39) Sponsors: Shopify | Netsuites
(16:12) Substack as a real-time OSINT hub
(20:26) AI's impact on media and society
(23:26) Power of individual content creation
(24:14) Challenge of attention in the age of infinite content
(25:31) Human alignment problem vs. AI alignment
(25:54) Why AI won't replace unique human perspectives
(28:26) Future of AI and human interaction
(32:47) Sponsor: Adquick
(33:45) Decline of American influence and the rise of China
(40:23) Race for electric technology and policy challenges
(44:24) Wrap
This week, we're republishing a conversation from last month between Noah Smith and Substack CEO Chris Best, originally streamed on Substack Live. They discuss the future of media in an AI-driven world, including Noah's vision for AI-powered newsletters, the rise of independent voices, and the evolving roles of platforms like TikTok and Twitter. The conversation also explores Substack's potential as a breaking news hub, the broader impact of AI on content creation, shifting U.S.-China relations, and the role of industrial policy in shaping global dynamics.
–
SPONSORS:
NetSuite
More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: netsuite.com/102
Shopify
Shopify is the world's leading e-commerce platform, offering a market-leading checkout system Shoppay and exclusive AI apps. Nobody does selling better than Shopify. Get a $1 per month trial at shopify.com/momentofzen.
AdQuick
The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit adquick.com today to start reaching your customers in the real world.
–
SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: Econ102@Turpentine.co
–
FOLLOW ON X:
@noahpinion
@cjgbest
@eriktorenberg
@turpentinemedia
–
RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:
The Age of Twitter is finally ending. Can Substack take its place?: https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/the-age-of-twitter-is-finally-ending
Noahpinion: https://www.noahpinion.blog/
–
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:38) Future of media with AI
(02:19) Independent voices and media trends
(03:18) Role of platforms in media
(05:00) Substack as a breaking news platform
(13:39) Sponsors: Shopify | Netsuites
(16:12) Substack as a real-time OSINT hub
(20:26) AI's impact on media and society
(23:26) Power of individual content creation
(24:14) Challenge of attention in the age of infinite content
(25:31) Human alignment problem vs. AI alignment
(25:54) Why AI won't replace unique human perspectives
(28:26) Future of AI and human interaction
(32:47) Sponsor: Adquick
(33:45) Decline of American influence and the rise of China
(40:23) Race for electric technology and policy challenges
(44:24) Wrap
