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Ben Thompson: Anthropic, the Pentagon, and the Limits of Private Power
Business
Mar 6, 2026

Ben Thompson: Anthropic, the Pentagon, and the Limits of Private Power

Here's something that might surprise you — Ben Thompson highlights a growing clash between AI giants like Anthropic and the U.S. Pentagon, revealing just how limited private power really is when it comes to national security. According to Thompson, the Pentagon’s recent standoff with Anthropic shows that even the biggest tech companies can’t control the military’s needs or priorities. It’s a collision of worlds — AI innovation vs. government oversight — and it exposes a bigger question: how much influence do private firms really have over these critical areas? As Ben Thompson explains on the a16z podcast, this isn’t just about tech dominance but about the fundamental limits of private power when national interests are at stake. And get this — Thompson argues that the government might need to step up, not just rely on private firms. So, what does this all mean for the future of AI and national security? It’s a battle that’s just beginning, and the implications are enormous.

Building GitHub for Product Management: How Momental Uses AI to Find Merge Conflicts in Strategy
Business
Mar 6, 2026

Building GitHub for Product Management: How Momental Uses AI to Find Merge Conflicts in Strategy

Here’s something that caught my attention — what if AI could spot strategic conflicts in your product team before they derail a quarter? In this episode of Just Now Possible, Teresa Torres chats with Matthias and Charlotte Kleverud from Momental about their bold vision for building 'GitHub for product management.' Imagine ingesting all your docs, meetings, even voice notes, then using AI to map out goals, decisions, and who’s responsible. Now, here’s where it gets interesting — when it detects a mismatch, like one team prioritizing retention while another pushes for conversion, it surfaces the conflict for humans to fix. According to Teresa, what they’ve built is a living knowledge graph driven by a sophisticated OODA-loop process, constantly updating itself. As Charlotte explains, this approach tackles one of the trickiest problems in product orgs: maintaining alignment across teams at scale. And get this — by integrating self-improving agents and human-in-the-loop feedback, they’re making this smarter every week. Honestly, it’s a game-changer in how organizations keep everyone moving in the same direction.

Costless Sacrifice
Business
Mar 6, 2026

Costless Sacrifice

Here's something that caught my attention — David’s story in the Old Testament shows that true sacrifice isn’t costless. When King David refused to offer a burnt offering that cost him nothing, he was making a powerful point: real commitment requires real sacrifice. According to Packy McCormick, in his essay 'Costless Sacrifice,' this idea applies beyond ancient stories — think today’s work culture, where we often want the benefits without the effort. Packy points out that in a world obsessed with easy wins, we tend to forget that genuine value comes from effort and even discomfort. Now, here’s where it gets interesting — this isn’t just about religion or work; it’s about how we build trust, relationships, and progress. As Packy puts it, what we often see as ‘costless’ is actually a hollow version of growth. So, maybe the real lesson is: if you want something meaningful, sometimes you’ve gotta pay the price. And get this — it's a principle that still shapes our lives today.

Insurer of Last Resort
Business
Mar 6, 2026

Insurer of Last Resort

Here's something that might sound like finance theory, but it’s actually about power and risk in the modern world. Imagine a giant insurer that’s last in line — meaning, if everything else fails, they step in. According to Byrne Hobart writing in Business, this 'insurer of last resort' isn’t just about insurance; it’s a tool for control, especially in volatile markets like tech and AI. What Hobart points out is that big players are lobbying hard to keep this safety net, not just for stability but to shape who holds power. Now, here's where it gets interesting — these last-resort players create what Hobart calls 'black boxes,' opaque systems that outsiders can't see or understand, which boost their influence. Plus, with the SaaSpocalypse looming, and AI risks growing, this insurer role becomes even more critical. So, what does this mean for us? It’s a quiet game of control, where the last line of defense also controls the rules of the game itself.

An Interview with Gregory Allen About Anthropic and the U.S. Government
Technology
Mar 6, 2026

An Interview with Gregory Allen About Anthropic and the U.S. Government

Here's something that caught my attention — Anthropic, the AI startup, is in a bit of a tug-of-war with the U.S. government. According to Ben Thompson, in an interview with Gregory Allen, there's a lot more at stake here than just tech. The government’s concern isn’t about the technology itself, but about how companies like Anthropic might handle sensitive data or influence policy. Now, here's where it gets interesting — Allen points out that Anthropic is trying to navigate these tricky waters while still pushing forward with innovation. But the government’s cautious stance could slow down progress or tighten regulations, which might impact the whole AI industry. So what does this actually mean for you? Well, it’s a reminder that AI isn’t just about cool features; it’s also about trust, security, and the rules of the game — things that could shape how we use AI in the future. As Ben Thompson highlights, this dispute is a glimpse into the bigger picture of AI regulation and government oversight.

macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 update will "upgrade" your M5's CPU to new "super" cores
Technology
Mar 6, 2026

macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 update will "upgrade" your M5's CPU to new "super" cores

Here's something that caught my attention — Apple just renamed its high-performance CPU cores to 'super' cores with the macOS Tahoe 26.3.1 update. So, if you’ve got an M5 MacBook Pro, the system now labels your 'performance' cores as 'super' cores — no performance boost, just a name change, according to Andrew Cunningham at Ars Technica. Now, here's where it gets interesting — Apple’s rebranding seems to be more about marketing than tech. The update updates the labels in System Info and Activity Monitor, making it clear that these cores are now 'super.' But remember, this only applies to the old M5 MacBook Pro — newer Macs with M5 chips will already have these names out of the box. So, what does this actually mean for you? Mostly, it’s a branding move, not a performance tweak. Still, it’s a sign Apple’s pushing hard on this 'super' core idea, and we’ll see if it influences future chips or just keeps things fresh in marketing.

Musk testifies tweet that led to $44 billion lawsuit "may not have been my wisest"
Technology
Mar 6, 2026

Musk testifies tweet that led to $44 billion lawsuit "may not have been my wisest"

Here's something that caught my attention — Elon Musk admitted in court that a tweet leading to a $44 billion lawsuit probably wasn’t his wisest move. So, Musk took the stand in San Francisco, defending himself against claims of market manipulation. According to Stephen Morris from the Financial Times, Musk explained that the tweet wasn’t meant to sway Twitter’s stock during his takeover battle. But here’s where it gets interesting — investors allege that Musk’s threats to walk away, paired with that tweet, caused them to lose money, even though Musk knew he’d be legally bound to complete the deal. So what does this actually mean for you? Well, it’s a reminder that even billionaires aren’t immune to legal pitfalls, especially when social media is involved. As Morris points out, Musk’s honesty in court about his tweet might not settle the case, but it does shed light on how big tech leaders can’t always control the fallout from their digital words. Keep an eye on this — there’s more to come.

He Made $100M Before His First College Exam
Technology
Mar 6, 2026

He Made $100M Before His First College Exam

Here’s something that’ll blow your mind — this guy made $100 million *before* he even took his first college exam. Seriously. So why does this matter now? Well, it’s a reminder that traditional paths aren’t the only way to succeed, especially if you’re willing to take risks and think outside the box. According to My First Million, the story is about a young entrepreneur who turned a side hustle into a massive fortune, all before college. What’s fascinating is how he leveraged digital tools early on, recognizing opportunities most overlook. As My First Million reports, he didn’t wait for permission — he just built, learned, and scaled fast. And here’s the thing — his story shows that with the right mindset and a bit of hustle, you can break the mold. So, if you're feeling stuck or doubting your next move, remember this: sometimes, the biggest wins happen when you’re still in the starting blocks.

Congress extends ISS and tells NASA to get moving on private space stations
Technology
Mar 6, 2026

Congress extends ISS and tells NASA to get moving on private space stations

Here's something that caught my attention — Congress is really pushing NASA to speed things up on private space stations. Two months ago, a staffer for Sen. Ted Cruz openly begged NASA to release a document that would kick off a new round of competition among private companies to replace the aging International Space Station. But nothing happened — no proposals, no movement. So, this week, Cruz’s team took matters into their own hands with a new NASA Authorization bill, which just passed his committee. According to Eric Berger, writing in TechCrunch, the bill now mandates that NASA support the development of commercial space stations with clear deadlines. Now, here's where it gets interesting: Congress is basically telling NASA — ‘Get going, or else.’ This shows how much political pressure is building for private companies to step up as the future of human spaceflight. And as Berger points out, this shift could really accelerate the pace of space station innovation — and change the game for everyone, including you and me.

Lanterns teaser swaps superhero hijinks for gritty realism
Technology
Mar 6, 2026

Lanterns teaser swaps superhero hijinks for gritty realism

Here's something that caught my attention — DC's new Lanterns series is ditching superhero antics for a dark, gritty crime drama. Imagine *True Detective* or *Slow Horses* set in the American Heartland, with Green Lanterns investigating a murder in Nebraska. According to Jennifer Ouellette writing in Technology, James Gunn and Peter Safran are shifting gears, making the series more serious after their earlier lighter approach. Kyle Chandler stars as Hal Jordan, a retired test pilot training John Stewart Jr., while the cast includes familiar faces like Nathan Fillion and Kelly MacDonald. What Ouellette points out is that this tone change isn’t just fresh — it’s a bold move for the DC Universe, blending sci-fi with noir-style realism. So what does this mean for fans? It signals a new direction — less superhero spectacle, more grounded storytelling. And get this — if it pulls off, Lanterns might just become one of the most talked-about series of 2026.

Nerve damage, energy management, and Apple TV: F1 in 2026 starts today
Technology
Mar 6, 2026

Nerve damage, energy management, and Apple TV: F1 in 2026 starts today

Here’s something that caught my attention — F1’s new season kicks off tonight with a massive shake-up. The 2026 cars are smaller, lighter, and packed with upgraded hybrid systems running on sustainable fuels. According to Jonathan M. Gitlin from Ars Technica, these changes are part of a broader reset to make the sport more relevant and environmentally friendly. And get this — F1 is shifting from ESPN to Apple TV in a $750 million move, changing how millions of us will watch the races. But here’s where it gets really interesting: the new engines combine some seriously powerful hybrid tech — up to 400 kW plus 350 kW — raising questions about reliability and driver safety. As Gitlin reports, teams and fans alike are wondering if all these innovations will pay off or if they’re just headaches waiting to happen. So, what does this mean for the future of racing? Well, it’s a bold step toward blending high-tech thrills with sustainability — and that’s a story worth watching.

Trump gets data center companies to pledge to pay for power generation
Technology
Mar 6, 2026

Trump gets data center companies to pledge to pay for power generation

Here's something that caught my attention — several major tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have pledged to fund their own power generation for new data centers. According to John Timmer writing in Technology, this 'Ratepayer Protection Pledge' sounds great on paper, but don’t get too excited just yet. The companies promise to pay for new power plants and transmission lines, whether or not they end up using all that energy. Now, here's where it gets interesting — there’s no real enforcement, so it’s more of a handshake than a binding deal. Plus, experts point out that supply chain issues and basic economics could throw a wrench in the plan. Still, after years of energy debate, this move signals a shift toward companies taking more responsibility for their environmental impact. So what does this actually mean for you? It’s an early sign that big tech might start footing the bill for greener energy, but don’t expect this to be a perfect fix anytime soon.