This week ours hosts discuss why OpenAI and Elon Musk’s legal dispute is heating up again – and it’s happening with SpaceX entering an initial public offering. They also tell the story of how a Justice Department lawyer misled a judge about how to handle voter data, and why the release of Artemis II captured all our imaginations.
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You can follow Brian Barrett on Bluesky at @brbarrett and Leah Feiger on Bluesky at @leahfeiger. Write to us at [email protected].
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Transcription
Please note: this is an automatic transcription and may contain errors.
Brian Barrett: Hi, this is Brian. Zoë, Leah and I have really enjoyed being your up-to-date hosts for the past few weeks and would love to hear from you. If you like the show and have a moment, please leave us a review on your podcast or app of choice. This really helps us reach more people. If you have any questions or comments, you can always contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening. For the show. Welcome to WIRED Uncanny Valley. I’m Brian Barrett, editor-in-chief.
Leah Feiger: And I’m Leah Feiger, senior politics editor.
Brian Barrett: This week, we discuss why the OpenAI and Elon Musk dispute in the courts is starting to heat up again. Speaking of Musk, let’s discuss some key takeaways from SpaceX’s recent confidential IPO filing. We will then address growing concerns about how some agencies in the current administration are handling voter data. And finally, let’s take a break from it all, go to space and talk about why the launch of Artemis II was such a gigantic deal for everyone watching.
Leah Feiger: Before we dive into our lineup this week, we need to briefly talk about what’s happened in recent days between the United States and Iran.
[Archival audio]: : President Trump is threatening Iran again, writing online this morning that Trump said, quote, “All civilization will die tonight and will never be restored.”
[Archival audio]: : Moments ago, President Trump once again threatened to destroy Iran if an agreement was not reached by his deadline of tonight at 8 p.m. EST.
[Archival audio]: : Breaking news from the White House shows that the US president has agreed to a two-week ceasefire.
Leah Feiger: The whole situation was very strange. I think that’s what global politics is like right now. I’m very curious about your thoughts.
Brian Barrett: Well, yes, let’s talk about what happened, or more specifically, what didn’t happen this week, a potential World War III. It seemed like we were close to it, but I don’t think that… Compelling, there was a good chance Trump was bluffing, right? Because he’s done this many times, he says, “Here’s the deadline,” and then he moves it. But what he’s bluffing about has become truly disturbing, and it’s only a bluff until it isn’t. You know what I mean? I think threatening to wipe out an entire civilization is terrifying, even if it’s vulgar. A terrifying mistake.