E113: DOJ tries to break up Google, vaccine questions, Ukraine escalation & more

Mentioned for his joke about taking the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The CEO of Pfizer, confronted by Rebel News reporters at Davos about when he knew the COVID-19 vaccines didn't stop transmission.

Mentioned in the context of Twitter remaining a platform for free speech, suggesting his ownership has made it more open.

Mentioned as having almost been 'canceled' for suggesting that young men in their 20s should not get vaccinated due to an unfavorable risk-return profile.

Mentioned in passing at the beginning of the episode as a topic that the host believes shouldn't be pushed. She had gained some 'heat and momentum' recently.

A European commentator who expressed nervousness about the escalating conflict in Ukraine and the risk of nuclear war.

CEO of BlackRock, estimated the cost of Ukraine's reconstruction at $750 billion, leading to discussion about 'infrastructure funds' and their beneficiaries.

Reported by the Wall Street Journal as being targeted for sanctions because he's 'not as useful.'

Previously suggested taking Crimea off the table for negotiations, which contrasts with recent leaks about the administration supporting a Crimean invasion.

Cited for a tweet sharing a paper on the new bivalent booster's reduction in hospitalization and death rates.

His assassination is used as an analogy for a "France Ferdinand moment" that could trigger a cataclysmic nuclear war in Ukraine.

Discussed in relation to his losing economically and politically in the war of attrition, with the West aiming to make Russia culturally irrelevant. The need for a 'golden bridge' for his retreat is emphasized.

The US Justice Department filed a lawsuit seeking to break up Google's digital advertising business, alleging it abuses its role as a major broker and auctioneer of ads.

Identified as a growing competitor in the digital advertising market, taking significant market share with its booming ad business and e-commerce platform.

Cited as a competitor in digital advertising and later as one of the two players in the mobile operating system duopoly (iOS and Android) which presents a different antitrust concern.

Listed as a company making moves in the advertising industry, indicating a dynamic market.

Developing an ad business with ad tiers for its services, competing against YouTube and other digital ad platforms.

Acquired Slack, which impacted Slack's antitrust claim against Microsoft. The acquisition's success is debated.

A pharmaceutical company whose CEO was questioned about the efficacy of its COVID-19 vaccine, with concerns raised about its transparency, economic incentives, and the emergency use authorization process.

Elon Musk's Twitter is highlighted as a platform where the video of Bourla being questioned was available, suggesting it is still 'free' compared to YouTube.

Mentioned as a competitor in the advertising industry, and later discussed in an antitrust complaint from Slack in the EU for bundling Microsoft Teams with its Office Suite.

Holds 18.4% of the digital advertising market, showcasing diversity in the market, refuting Google's monopoly claim by the DOJ.

Google's acquisition of DoubleClick in 2008 is a key part of the DOJ's lawsuit, which aims to unwind this decade-old deal, raising concerns about market uncertainty.

Has introduced ad tiers for its streaming services, entering the digital advertising market by charging higher CPMs directly to advertisers like Samsung or IBM.

Launched an ad business generating $350 million in its first year, projected to reach $1 billion, leveraging location information for targeting.

Accused of abridging freedom of the press by banning a video of Rebel News confronting Pfizer's CEO, suggesting protection of powerful figures.

Mentioned as potentially imposing warning labels on content discussing controversial vaccine topics.

Its COVID-19 vaccine is noted for having a potentially 30 times higher chance of causing myocarditis in young people, though still a low incidence rate.

A pharmaceutical company whose COVID-19 vaccine was among the 'more regular ones' that were 'dumped on developing countries' by Western nations.

A pharmaceutical company whose COVID-19 vaccine (the 'J vaccine' as per Dave Chappelle's joke) was among the 'more regular ones' that were 'dumped on developing countries'.

Filed a lawsuit against Google alleging monopolistic practices in digital advertising, attempting to unwind decade-old acquisitions. The validity of the lawsuit is debated by the hosts.

An independent media outlet whose reporters confronted Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla at Davos, asking tough questions about the COVID vaccine's efficacy.

A preeminent scientific journal that published a study on the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis associated with COVID-19 vaccines.

The institution responsible for drug approval, and its emergency use authorization (EUA) pathway was used to fast-track COVID-19 vaccines. The rigorous normal drug approval process is contrasted with EUA.

A research team from Mass General published a paper in the journal Circulation identifying underlying causes for myocarditis in vaccinated individuals.

Decided to send Abrams Tanks, Bradley's, and Leopard 2s to Ukraine, reversing earlier decisions, and is warming to the idea of supporting a Crimean invasion.

Reported that the Biden administration is now considering supporting an invasion of Crimea, marking an escalation in the Ukraine conflict.

A ratings agency that stated Ukraine is heading towards default.

Published an article about Roman Abramovich, noting a quote that he would be targeted with sanctions now that he's 'not as useful,' indicating an 'end game' for a negotiated settlement.

A company that raised $3 billion in seed funding, mentioned in the context of investing in aging research and Yamanaka factors.

A team from Harvard published a compelling paper on identifying the core driver of aging and demonstrating an ability to reverse it through epigenome changes.

Filed an antitrust complaint against Microsoft in 2020 for bundling Teams with Office, arguing it created an unfair competitive disadvantage. Later acquired by Salesforce.

Mentioned as challenging Google's search supremacy for the first time, implying a shifting competitive landscape.

Microsoft's communication platform, accused of being unfairly bundled with the Office Suite, leading to an antitrust complaint by Slack and an EU probe.

A video conferencing tool, mentioned as being subject to Microsoft's bundling tactics with a 'crappy clone' as part of the Office Suite.

A third-party service that uses contrast CT scans and software to create accurate 3D models of the heart, allowing for measurement of calcium buildup in arteries.

The US's best and most expensive tank, which the Biden administration decided to send to Ukraine, reversing an earlier decision.

Infantry fighting vehicles that the Biden administration decided to send to Ukraine as part of military aid.

German-made main battle tanks that the Biden administration is sending to Ukraine.

Mentioned as a potential target for invasion by Ukraine with US support, signifying a major escalation in the conflict.

Referenced as a historical example where a 'war machine' was followed by a 'reconstruction machine,' incurring trillions in costs.

Mentioned in the context of potential disruptions to oil trade routes.

A class of drugs mentioned by Chamath Palihapitiya's cardiologist.

These four proteins/molecules can reset gene expression in cells back to a stem cell-like state, demonstrating the potential to reverse aging in mice and offering a path for future therapeutics.