Jason Calacanis on CNBC August 4th, 2020: China threat, TikTok, Snowflakes, Micro-schools

TL;DR

Angel investor Jason Calacanis discusses the future of TikTok, emphasizing the need for prioritizing important issues over follower counts and the geopolitical implications of China's rise.

Transcript

the future of tick tock remains an open question this morning and if you're looking for provocative ideas about what may uh what the future may hold let's check in with jason kalakanis angel investor and founder of inside.com morning jason good to see you good morning i hope everybody's safe thanks for having me on the program yeah what do you thin... Read More

Key Insights

• 🇨🇳 The future of TikTok is intertwined with broader geopolitical concerns between the US and China.
• 🍉 China's emphasis on STEM degrees and entrepreneurship puts the US at a potential disadvantage in terms of global competition.
• 🗯️ It is essential for the US to prioritize human rights and consider the implications of its relationship with China.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Jason Calacanis's opinion on the future of TikTok?

Calacanis believes that TikTok is just a small part of a larger issue, which is the geopolitical competition between the US and China. He warns of the potential consequences of allowing China access to user data through TikTok.

Q: Should Microsoft or Apple acquire TikTok?

Calacanis suggests that Microsoft would be a better fit to acquire TikTok due to their experience with content moderation and dealing with community issues. On the other hand, he believes Apple lacks the necessary expertise in content moderation.

Q: What are the concerns about China's influence?

Calacanis raises concerns about China's control over information and human rights violations, referencing the arrests of students in Hong Kong and the treatment of dissenting individuals. He urges the US to prioritize human rights in its business dealings with China.

Q: How does Calacanis view the younger generation's focus on follower counts?

Calacanis criticizes the younger generation for prioritizing follower counts over building important companies and getting STEM degrees. He believes this mindset puts the US at a disadvantage compared to China's focus on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Calacanis criticizes the younger generation's focus on follower counts and lack of interest in building important companies.

• He warns about the influence of China, highlighting their emphasis on STEM degrees, engineering, and entrepreneurship.

• Calacanis emphasizes the need to prioritize human rights and address the larger issue of the relationship with China.