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The Short Fuse
Capitalism
Season 5, Ep. 6
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What happens to capitalism when AI can outproduce 10,000 workers on a single GPU? When white collar jobs vanish, software builds itself, and the middlemen connecting buyers to sellers get replaced? Duncan and Ollie go long and short on the future of the entire economic system, using a viral (and wildly controversial) research report as their launchpad. They cover the barriers standing between today and full AI automation, why developer hiring keeps rising despite coding AI, the hidden RAM crisis driving up the price of everything from phones to cars, and what happens when consumers start pushing back against an infrastructure they never asked for. The answer to whether capitalism survives might be less about technology and more about how greedy, stubborn, and inventive humans turn out to be. Plus, a live AI-generated poem about economic collapse that invents at least one word.
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5. SHORT FUSE NEWS
20:03||Season 5, Ep. 5Ollie and Duncan are back with a quick news roundup, from layoffs and market-moving essays to the growing debate around AI safety and government contracts.
4. Leadership
45:18||Season 5, Ep. 4Are human leaders becoming obsolete in the age of AI? Join Duncan and Ollie as they dig into the future of leadership. Discover if AI can truly replace the intuition, inspiration, and moral judgment of human leaders. This episode explores the subtle ways AI is reshaping leadership roles and questions whether our uniquely human traits can keep leadership alive. Perfect for anyone curious about the future of leadership in a tech-driven world. Hit play to find out if the future is leaderless or more human than ever.
3. Moltbook, AI Catfighting, Silent Speech
40:11||Season 5, Ep. 3On this week's Short Fuse podcast, Duncan and Ollie dive into the latest tech intelligence dashboard to dissect the biggest stories shaking up the industry. From the persistent debates on government surveillance and job displacement to the "catfight" between AI giants, we break down what's hype and what's actually happening.We explore the rise of local AI agents like "MoltBot" and the security nightmares they might bring, alongside Apple's fascinating (and slightly creepy) acquisition of Q.AI for silent speech. Plus, we discuss Elon Musk's latest moves with SpaceX acquiring xAI and what it means for the future of tech valuation.
2. Advertising
39:15||Season 5, Ep. 2OpenAI is finally bringing ads to ChatGPT. In this episode, Duncan and Ollie decide if they are Long or Short on this strategy.The cost of computing power is massive. We discuss whether advertising is the necessary answer for OpenAI or if it fundamentally breaks the utility of the product. The discussion covers the incentives behind the move, the likely impact on user behaviour, and what this signals for the wider industry.We debate if this is a smart commercial play or a sign of trouble.In this episode:Are we Long or Short on ChatGPT ads?The trade-off between user experience and revenue.First principles: Why ad-supported AI might look different than search.Subscribe to Short Fuse for more analysis on tech, culture, and where we are placing our bets.
1. CES 2026: Gadgets!
52:02||Season 5, Ep. 1Join Duncan and Ollie in this episode of "Short Fuse" as they dive into the latest and quirkiest gadgets from CES 2026. From humanoid robots with Brad Pitt's hair to AI companions that wink, the duo explores the fascinating and sometimes bizarre world of consumer electronics. Tune in for a blend of humor and insight as they debate the practicality and future of these innovations. Don't miss their candid takes on what might just be the next big thing—or not!
7. Metaverse, VR, AR, XR
52:47||Season 4, Ep. 7The Metaverse was promised as the next great leap for the internet—a decentralised, immersive world where we would work, shop, and socialise. But as we approach the dates set by major analysts for mass adoption, the reality looks very different.In this episode of Short Fuse, Ollie and Duncan take a critical look at the state of Extended Reality (XR) and the Metaverse. We explore the massive disconnect between the aggressive predictions made by industry experts and the actual adoption rates we see today.
6. BCI
47:15||Season 4, Ep. 6Join Duncan and Ollie in this lively episode of "Short Fuse" as they dive into the fascinating world of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI). From the potential of controlling devices with your thoughts to the ethical dilemmas and regulatory challenges, they explore both the thrilling possibilities and the daunting risks. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about the future, this episode offers a thought-provoking discussion with a sprinkle of humour. Tune in and decide if you're long or short on BCI!
5. Dead Internet Theory
49:07||Season 4, Ep. 5Is the internet already dead? The "Dead Internet Theory" suggests the web is no longer a human place but is dominated by bots and AI-generated contentIn this episode, Duncan and Ollie use the Short Fuse Tech Tracker as evidence to debate the theory. We discuss how AI "slop" and bot-to-bot engagement (especially on LinkedIn) are killing authentic human interactionThis leads to a "bifurcation" of the internet: one layer for AI agents and transactions, and another, separate layer for verified humansFull analysis at: shortfuseresearch.com