5G, Disney+, and All Things Social Media

Regulation

Sinan Aral argues that antitrust measures are not the best solution for regulating big tech companies. He suggests that campaign finance reform is a more effective approach to reducing corporate influence in politics, which in turn could help mitigate the harmful effects of social media 1. Scott Galloway introduces the idea of taxing algorithmically driven ad models to shift incentives away from ad-based revenue, which he believes contributes to societal issues 2.

The real way that we do this is campaign finance reform. It's legislation, it's HR one. It's really getting serious about reducing corporate influence in politics.

--- Sinan Aral

Sinan, however, views tax policy as a broad approach that might dampen consumer benefits and create inequality 2.

   

Business Models

The debate between subscription and advertising models in tech companies highlights significant societal impacts. Sinan Aral notes that subscription models could create inequality, as not everyone can afford them, while advertising models rely on capturing attention, often through sensational content 3. He emphasizes the need for regulation to align business models with societal values for long-term success.

The true leaders of the new social age are going to be the ones that realize, and with a little help from regulation, that aligning societal values with long term shareholder value is more effective.

--- Sinan Aral

Scott Galloway suggests a tiered subscription model to balance access and revenue, capturing surplus value from corporations and high-profile users 3.