Pivot · Sep 10, 2024

Google Antitrust Redux, Debate Predictions, and Guests Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe

Automatic transcript of the end of the episode, from 1:03:05. Speakers are labeled by software and may contain errors. Highlighted passages are Scott’s predictions.

Guest · 1:03:05 My sister and I, I'm a twin, and we we both played together growing up, was they let us be the the driver, so to speak. Like, if you wanna do it, we'll do it. But, like, we're not gonna be, a, forcing you to do it or, b, dragging you around and spending all our time, energy, and money to do that. So let let the kids sort of be the, the driver in those decisions. Calm down. For... It's like, if you are yelling at your kids' games, yelling at your kid, putting these, like, expectations on... Like, you need to check yourself and probably into rehab. Check... Just check yourself into rehab because there's there's something serious going on. It's it's just like, at the end of the day, especially when they're so young... I understand what you're saying, Scott. Like, you have to have them in, you know, this club team and this traveling team and the... You know, otherwise, they're, like, so left behind. But I think what ends up happening is, like, 99.9% of the kids' experience is now ruined because there's only one kid going pro. Like, most likely, your kid is not going pro. Maybe they're gonna play college, and that would be a huge accomplishment. But, like, most likely, that's not what's happening. So what are the the benefits that we're actually looking for here? And then, yeah, I mean, I just think, like, not putting pressure on them. There's there's pressure enough for kids, particularly with social media and, you know, what they're feeling in that realm, and, you know, they're gonna put pressure on themselves. Like, let them just enjoy it and and have fun and try to try to be the sort of... I don't know. Protector's the right word, but be the example that you would like to see from the world for your kid. If you're the first person putting pressure on your kid and all of that undue influence and, you know, sort of, like, all over them, like, that's what they're gonna kinda see reflected back in the world. So I would just say, like... And also, most likely, your kid's not going pro, so, like, relax. Guest · 1:04:59 That part. I would say what I learned throughout my career, but definitely looking back, is don't... You know, it's like a common quote, but don't mistake activity for achievement. And what I'm seeing with a lot of youth sports, a lot of my friends talk about it, their kids are on entirely too many teams, going to entirely too many practices, and it's just for what? They're just they're just being active. Like, what are they actually gaining? What are they learning? I feel like when I see even, you know, younger professional athletes, I can tell they don't know the game. And so I think from a parent standpoint, listen, some are gonna have sports backgrounds, some aren't. Similar to what I was just saying about politics, like, educate yourself on maybe just the best map, the best, you know, route for your for your kid. Maybe it's just one or two teams, not four or five. Right? And then maybe you want an individual coach. I know a lot of people are doing that now. I never had that personally, but I can acknowledge that times have changed in terms of what's needed. I just think kids are doing entirely too much and therefore not learning anything. And that to me, that development part is getting missed out on, and and it's gonna impact them long term. And then, again, I mean, what Megan said, you're probably not going pro. So what are you really trying to teach your kid here? Like, think about those lessons, not just are you putting the ball in the basket. Kara Swisher · 1:06:17 I I actually was thrilled today. One of my sons said he didn't wanna play baseball anymore. I was like, yay. I hate [Ad break] Kara Swisher · 1:06:24 Yeah. So good. You're not playing. Just so you know, Sue, I'm gonna put out something whenever we see each other. My son, Alex, who's quite tall, he's about six five, thinks he can take you in a game of what? Basketball. He's... He plays a lot. He does a lot of dunking, and he's like, she can't dunk like I can. And I said, he will too. Guest · 1:06:44 And let me get my [Ad break] Kara Swisher · 1:06:44 this guy. Alright. Okay. I just want you to be aware. You're gonna have to He's Guest · 1:06:48 not the only six [Ad break] Kara Swisher · 1:06:50 I... Well, I I know that you're you're... You don't wanna have... You were just saying you didn't wanna have kids. I really need you to help me with detail lessons. Scott Galloway · 1:06:56 Yeah. That's Billie Jean and Bobby Riggs part two with the same outcome. Kara Swisher · 1:07:00 And not even... Anyway, I I... Just so you know. Anyway, thank you so much, Megan Rapinoe and Subur. If you wanna hear more expert analysis of the business of sports from Megan and Sue, check out a touch more podcast weekly on Wednesdays on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and, of course, on the Vox Media Podcast Network. Thank you guys so much, and welcome really, truly. Congrats. No. This is Sierra. Gonna take us. No way. No. We we wish you good luck. Guest · 1:07:26 We're we're learning earnestly from you. Kara Swisher · 1:07:28 Yeah. Yeah. That's alright. You can dunk on us if you want. Anyway, thank you guys so much. We really appreciate it, and really good luck, and everyone should listen. It's a great podcast. Guest · 1:07:36 Thank you. Thanks, y'all. Guest · 1:07:36 Thanks for having us. Kara Swisher · 1:07:38 Alright, Scott. One more quick break. What do you think of those two? Scott Galloway · 1:07:42 Super, super impressive, both of them on the field and off the field. Kara Swisher · 1:07:46 They're amazing, and we're thrilled that they're with Vox. Now we're gonna be back for our debate predictions. [Ad break] — Predictions segment begins — Kara Swisher · 1:09:58 Okay, Scott. The presidential debate is tonight. So, alright, give me your give me your prediction for the debate. I'm not watching it. Neither are you, Scott Galloway · 1:10:06 I think. I I... I'm not watching it, which is because to... Just to be blunt. [Ad break] Scott Galloway · 1:10:11 I think chances are he's gonna do better than people think. Kara Swisher · 1:10:16 Mhmm. Scott Galloway · 1:10:16 Her medium is being on an elevated podium with questions prepped by staff, and, basically, she's playing what she was, district attorney slash attorney general. I don't think she's as good on her feet as he is. I'm hoping that he continues to show signs of being addled and cognitive decline. I I gotta be honest, Cara. I'm really worried about it. I think the expectations around her momentum have become too high. Mhmm. I do think he's good soon. I think he's good on his feet. So I can't... I I just can't watch it. I'm too nervous about it. Kara Swisher · 1:10:52 I feel nervous that she hasn't done more interviews and debates. I do. I think he's done, like, dozens. You know, even if they suck Guest · 1:10:59 and they Scott Galloway · 1:10:59 He's out of shape. Kara Swisher · 1:11:00 They're sucking. They do suck up to him. He hasn't done anything tough. He hasn't done a tough interview, but he's done a lot. Right? So he... He's out there doing things. And I think she needed to be more... I don't know. It's interesting. We'll see if she... She certainly is capable of it. Right? She's fast. You know, when she was in congress Scott Galloway · 1:11:19 She was good against pants. Kara Swisher · 1:11:21 So she's gotta have a lot of stuff ready to go and then move quickly, you know, as a good, courtroom attorney does, I think. Scott Galloway · 1:11:30 One of the reasons I wanted a competition, not a coronation, was I thought, realistically, she was the odds on favorite. Mhmm. And that competition, the primary, produces really outstanding candidates who are battle tested and are ready for almost anything because their colleagues have been shitposting them and going after them on the debate stage. And Mhmm. I... Quite frankly, she's not combat ready. So we'll see. I I Yeah. I'm pulling for her. I'm so nervous about the thing. I can't watch it. But Yeah. I think the expectations because of the unbelievable momentum that she and her team have established create just expectations where unless she's resoundingly beats him, it'll be disappointing for her. Kara Swisher · 1:12:12 I think his his he has to... What I was saying on another medium was that he has to not repel women more. Right? And she has to attract men. And women are with her, like, by a number that's Scott Galloway · 1:12:25 Yes. Kara Swisher · 1:12:25 She does. Right? Yeah. Owns she owns the women vote. Scott Galloway · 1:12:28 Old men and young women have already voted. Kara Swisher · 1:12:31 Yeah. So so so it's a question of whether he can stop repelling. Because he continues to... By the way, he may be out there, but every time he opens his mouth, he says something incredibly offensive, whether it's these people wouldn't be my chosen one for sexual harassment, like, things like that. And and, of course, Vance is out there a lot, but he continues to say stupid things almost daily, which I don't think it matters. Yeah. Although that would be an interesting debate. I do think that if he says something terrible, which is... I think the the the... Here's the the issue that I think people need to pay attention to. The visual of her across from him, a woman, a woman of color, an attractive woman is going to is going to shake him. It is gonna trigger him. I I I don't know if he can stand it. He is helped by the the by the debate. The the mute... The mics being muted. Her hope is is he calls her a name. Right? He calls her a name. Not nasty woman, something really unpleasant. That's unpleasant enough for women, but, that is the hope is that he gets so rattled by her. The other thing is he could appear too quiet, like, to to... There... There's... They want happy Trump, but there's also comatose Trump. You've seen it before. Right? Where he's... He did it at the economic club, that kind of Trump. And that shows lack of energy, so he seems old. That is that is his problem. She's just gotta be as sharp as a fucking tack. She really does. Scott Galloway · 1:13:58 One piece of advice I would have for the Harris campaign would be stop falling into the same trap Democrats have been falling into for the last two years, and that is we spend all of our capital and energy talking about why he would be bad for America. She needs to totally focus on why she would be good for America. Almost like ignore him and outline her plans. The moment she... Every time she talks, it should be divided into two things. The first median is the following. Fact check him. He he just said inflation is out of control. No. It's not. It's the lowest in the g seven. Kara Swisher · 1:14:34 Mhmm. Scott Galloway · 1:14:35 And your plans of tariffs and restricting immigration would be highly inflationary. Now let me tell you about the three things we have planned. Mhmm. She needs... Instead of... I wouldn't even go to the sexual abuse. I I just wouldn't even talk about don't get indignant. You're awful. That does not work. Kara Swisher · 1:14:52 He's awful. Yeah. Scott Galloway · 1:14:52 We know. Everybody knows that. She needs to outline. She needs to show a series of policies. She needs to come across as a... In my view, a little bit wonky. Fact check. Right? Okay. You wanna... You claim it would be over in day in Ukraine. This is what's happened in Ukraine. This is what we plan to do with our allies. These are the people I have talked to in NATO. This is what supreme allied commander thinks. This is why Finland's extension of NATO across an 800 mile border across Russia is a good thing for us. She needs to come across like, I got this. It's gotta be more in my opinion than happy, nice, not Donald Trump. It has to be Right. Kara Swisher · 1:15:31 A 100%. Scott Galloway · 1:15:31 A 100%. Kara Swisher · 1:15:32 Who is she? [Ad break] Kara Swisher · 1:15:33 People are Scott Galloway · 1:15:33 asking. I got my hands on the wheel. Kara Swisher · 1:15:35 You know, I think it'll be it'll be an interesting show, and it's important. Scott Galloway · 1:15:38 But what's your prediction? Kara Swisher · 1:15:40 I think she might... If she has a moment, it will be great for her. She she could do... She could really use this to keep the momentum. She raised three times as much as as he did. I think that's the statistic I'm looking at. Like, if you go out of your way to give money, it means you wanna vote. How is she how is she equal if she's raising three times as much money? Anyway, that's that's an interesting thing. Anyway, we'll see what happens, and we'll talk about it on Thursday. But we wanna hear from you. Send us your questions about business tech or whatever's on your mind. Go to nymag.com/pivot to submit a question for the show, or call 85551 okay, Scott. That's the show. We'll be back on Friday with more. Please read us out. — Predictions segment ends — Scott Galloway · 1:16:18 Today's show is produced by Lara Nayman, Zoe Marcus, and Taylor Griffin. Ernie and her Todd engineered this episode. Thanks also to Drew Burrows and Neil Savario. Nishat Kurwa is Vox Media's executive producer of audio. Make sure you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening to Pivot from New York Magazine and Vox Media. You can subscribe to the magazine at nymag.com/pod. We'll be back later this week for another breakdown of all things tech and business. Kara, I will see you in Scotland. [Ad break] Guest · 1:18:04 Hi.