Apple Vision Pro or Dystopia?

Simplifying emerging technology trends with Shira Lazar. Learn what matters in web3 and AI in under 3 minutes per week.

Author

Shira Lazar
February 05, 2024

Hi friends,

This week, I’m coming to you from my office off the coast of Panama and Costa Rica. But don’t expect a little island life to stop me from bringing you some of the biggest moments from the week that caught my attention and are shifting culture. 

What You Need To Know 

Apple's Vision Pro headset, launched in U.S. stores this past week, marked a significant moment fairly similar to the excitement surrounding the debut of the first iPhone. With people lining up and creators eagerly exploring its capabilities, this mixed-reality device is getting a ton of attention worldwide. 

This is the first time we’ve seen VR/AR headsets out in the wild, outside of our homes and couches, bringing us into some sort of a Black Mirror dystopian reality. Hopefully, this episode ends up well…

It’s been fun watching Apple fanatics like iJustine share her unboxing and demos. Some of us might have major FOMO if we didn’t get in early, while many don’t think the high price (a whopping $3,499) is worth it. 

What are some of the best use cases? I love this thread showcasing some ideas:

My Hot Take 🔥 Spatial computing is officially here! Expect this to take over the conversation from AI in 2024. What does this mean? New companies will pop up focusing on Vision Pro apps and new jobs, and as Cathy Hackl shares, “It is a paradigm shift in human-to-human communication and human-computer interaction.” 

Shira Lazar

Universal Music Group (UMG) has pulled its music from TikTok due to unresolved issues over payment, AI use, and safety concerns, marking a significant shift in the app's music landscape. 

This move affects a wide range of popular artists, from Ariana Grande to Taylor Swift, and could significantly change the content creation environment on TikTok. 

Content creator Ashley France comments on the situation, suggesting that while this may reduce exposure for emerging artists on TikTok, it could lead to a positive shift towards labels investing more directly in artist development. France questions whether this change might actually benefit up-and-coming artists by fostering a music industry that values and supports its talent more substantially.

During a heated Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to families who have suffered due to the impact of social media on their children's mental health. 

Alongside him were the top brass from TikTok, X, and more, all under the microscope for not safeguarding young users enough. 

Lawmakers are eyeing tougher rules to make these tech behemoths answer for the dark sides of their platforms, like the rise in youth suicide and exploitation.

My Hot take 🔥 Both the government and social platforms are responsible, but I worry little will be done from either side. Some are comparing the fight against social media to the fight against tobacco in the 90s and need for similar regulations and social pressure to change behaviors. 

Shira Lazar

My friend, Larissa May, founder of Half The Story, has been working for almost a decade on this issue. She shared a great post on solutions as well.

On My Radar

“Read, Write, Own” by Chris Dixon 

"Read Write Own" by Chris Dixon hits the shelves, cutting through the noise to show how blockchain is pushing us towards a user-powered internet. Forget corporate grip - this book's all about taking control back, with a clear look at blockchain beyond the crypto buzz. 

Dropped on January 30th, it's your playbook for navigating and shaping the next digital frontier. Essential for forward-thinkers.

The Everything Token: How NFTs and Web3 Will Transform the Way We Buy, Sell, and Create by Steve Kaczynski, Scott Duke Kominers 

"The Everything Token" by Steve Kaczynski and Scott Duke Kominers explores NFTs' role in redefining digital ownership and commerce. Combining academic insight with practical experience, including contributions from beloved Web3 leader Steve, the book outlines how businesses can use NFTs to build loyal communities and open new markets. 

Quick Headlines: 

In my latest Twitter space with Time Pieces, I caught up with Jimena Buena Vida, a Colombian artist blending art, emotions, and tech in her vibrant, geometric work. From paintbrush to code, her creations and 'Nefarious Collection' spotlight transformation and celebrate female artists. The Open Edition on Rarible has had over 13k mints!

Check out the full recorded space below! ⬇️

Positive Affirmation:

"The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me." — Ayn Rand

We're looking for brands to share with The Alpha. If you’ve got a product or service you think we’d love, let us know!👇

Remember, I'm Bullish on you!

With gratitude,