Digest

The episode begins with a brief introduction and a Fidelity advertisement. Elon Musk unveils a prototype for Tesla's Robotaxi, an autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, expected to be available by 2026 and cost less than $30,000. The September CPI data shows inflation continuing to cool, falling to 2.4% year-over-year, but food and housing prices remain stubbornly high. A feud erupts over the future of FTC chair Lina Khan, with Mark Cuban advocating for her replacement and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders defending her. Palantir, a data analytics firm, is the stock of the week, driven by its AI platform and government contracts. Redbox, the DVD rental company, filed for bankruptcy, leaving retailers with thousands of useless vending machines. United Airlines is launching flights to eight new cities, including Senegal, Taiwan, Greenland, and Mongolia, as part of its largest international expansion ever. The episode concludes with a reminder to share the podcast with friends and family.

Outlines

00:00:00

Tech, Economy, and Business News

This episode covers a range of topics, including Tesla's Robotaxi prototype, cooling inflation, the feud over FTC chair Lina Khan, Palantir's stock growth, Redbox's bankruptcy, and United Airlines' international expansion.

00:00:28

Tesla's Robotaxi Prototype

Elon Musk unveils a prototype for Tesla's Robotaxi, an autonomous vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, expected to be available by 2026 and cost less than $30,000.

00:00:58

Inflation Continues to Cool

The September CPI data shows inflation continuing to cool, falling to 2.4% year-over-year, but food and housing prices remain stubbornly high.

00:13:23

Feud Over FTC Chair Lina Khan

A feud erupts over the future of FTC chair Lina Khan, with Mark Cuban advocating for her replacement and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders defending her.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is Tesla's Robotaxi and what are its key features?

  Tesla's Robotaxi is an autonomous vehicle designed for ride-hailing services. It features no steering wheel or pedals and relies on advanced AI and sensors for navigation. It is expected to be available by 2026 and cost less than $30,000.

• What is the current state of inflation and what are the key factors driving it?

  Inflation continues to cool, but food and housing prices remain stubbornly high. The September CPI data showed inflation falling to 2.4% year-over-year, but this was slightly hotter than economist expectations.

• What is the feud surrounding FTC chair Lina Khan and what are the key arguments on both sides?

  Mark Cuban has advocated for replacing Lina Khan as FTC chair, while Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders have defended her. The feud centers around Khan's aggressive antitrust enforcement, which has drawn criticism from some billionaires whose companies are under scrutiny.

• What is Palantir and what are the key factors driving its recent growth?

  Palantir is a data analytics company known for its work with government agencies and its AI platform. The company has seen significant growth in 2024, driven by its AI platform and government contracts.

• What is the impact of Redbox's bankruptcy on retailers?

  Redbox's bankruptcy has left retailers with thousands of useless vending machines, creating a logistical nightmare. Retailers are now faced with the challenge of disposing of these heavy machines and the DVDs they contain.

• What is United Airlines' new international expansion strategy and what are the potential benefits and risks?

  United Airlines is launching flights to eight new cities, including Senegal, Taiwan, Greenland, and Mongolia, as part of its largest international expansion ever. This strategy aims to tap into growing demand for unique travel experiences, but it also carries risks as these routes may not be profitable.

Show Notes