A16z Podcast

a16z cofounders Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz join a16z general partner Erik Torenberg and Not Boring founder Packy McCormick for a conversation on how the media and information ecosystem has changed over the past decade. The discussion breaks down the shift toward a more open and decentralized speech environment, the rise of writer- and creator-led platforms like Substack, and the erosion of centralized media gatekeepers. Marc and Ben also tie these dynamics to their investing worldview, outlining how supply-driven markets, major technological step changes, and reputation-driven venture platforms shape outcomes in the AI era.Timecodes: 00:00  Introduction00:46  How the media ecosystem is changing4:20  Why a16z invested in Substack6:28  Supply-driven markets and new content creation8:07  Why writers felt trapped by media companies10:09  Databricks and the 10x cloud multiplier13:58  Long-form podcasting proves demand15:40  What the new fund signals about the future16:24  AI as a universal problem solver18:4