My Business Is In Danger - WAN Show February 7, 2025

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode centered on LTT Store’s tariff-related shipping uncertainty, NVIDIA’s scarce and overpriced RTX 50-series launch, and a broader reflection on how tech content is changing as hardware becomes more expensive and less accessible. The hosts also debated Framework’s RISC-V board, digital rights issues, Rooster Teeth’s revival, a Pixel 4a battery update controversy, and whether LMG’s future should lean into bigger, more ambitious projects like a tech yacht or more utility-focused content.

Main Topics: LTT Store shipping delays and tariff chaos (Priority: 5/5): The hosts explained that shifting tariff rules and de minimis exemption uncertainty disrupted cross-border shipments, briefly delaying fulfillment. They said shipments have resumed, urged customers to order sooner rather than later, and noted that warehouse and support teams are working through a backlog. RTX 50-series scarcity, price inflation, and gamer frustration (Priority: 5/5): They discussed the poor availability of NVIDIA’s 50-series cards, how limited supply and AIB markups are pushing prices far above MSRP, and how this worsens consumer frustration amid weak generational gains. They also noted the used-market value of 4090s remaining unusually high. The future of tech channels amid affordability, apathy, and content pressure (Priority: 5/5): A long segment explored whether tech media can keep thriving when hardware is expensive, difficult to buy, and less transformative than before. The hosts argued that the deeper problem is apathy: audiences care less about incremental hardware unless the content has a strong hook, useful learning outcome, or larger production value. Framework RISC-V mainboard and investment philosophy (Priority: 4/5): They reacted positively to Framework’s RISC-V developer board, praising the company for taking outside investment without losing its identity. The board was framed as a cool but not consumer-ready product, highlighting the tension between innovation and practical usability. Ethics, crypto jokes, and ‘what would we do to survive?’ hypotheticals (Priority: 4/5): The conversation wandered into hypothetical ethical dilemmas around launching coins, VPNs, and other potentially gray-area products if the company were in survival mode. They ultimately rejected scammy approaches, but used the discussion to examine how money pressures can distort ethics. Platform and policy stories: encryption, game preservation, and Google’s Pixel 4a update (Priority: 4/5): Shorter news items covered the UK refusing to strengthen laws against games being shut down, the UK demanding access to Apple encrypted data, and Google’s battery-limiting Pixel 4a update. These stories tied into broader concerns about consumer rights, privacy, and planned obsolescence. Business expansion, ambitious projects, and the ‘tech yacht’ idea (Priority: 4/5): The hosts seriously, if jokingly, considered a tech yacht/private jet style project as a future business/content vehicle. They discussed charter economics, modification constraints, maintenance costs, and whether the project should be treated as a business rather than personal flexing.

Key Arguments: Tariff uncertainty was not just a minor fee issue; the real danger was the de minimis exemption disruption that could have stacked tariffs and overwhelmed border logistics. LTT Store delayed new launches so the warehouse could prioritize clearing existing commuter backpack and other orders before conditions changed again. RTX 50-series cards are not a paper launch in the strict sense, but their availability is so poor that consumers experience them like one. The high cost of GPUs, weak generational improvements, and stagnant wages are driving audience apathy toward hardware content. Tech channels can’t survive by only reviewing increasingly unaffordable products; they need strong formats, useful learning outcomes, or made-from-scratch projects. Framework’s willingness to take outside investment while staying true to its mission was praised as unusually difficult and admirable. There is probably no ethical way to launch a speculative coin without real utility and transparent proof of supply ownership, and even then it may still be functionally a scam. Apple/Google-style privacy and device support decisions show how consumer rights can be eroded when companies or governments control platforms and infrastructure. The team believes transparency with the audience is valuable, but it also exposes them to more backlash and makes them an easier target for criticism. The company’s best long-term path may be to use its production engine to create things people can talk about, not just talk about products made by others.

Data Points: LTT Store commuter backpack fulfillment: Expected to be fulfilled within the next couple of weeks - The company said remaining commuter backpack orders and waves should clear soon if shipping conditions stay stable. Tariff-related price impact: 35%–40% higher retail prices (worst case discussed) - The hosts described the possible stacked effect of tariffs and the de minimis exemption loss on U.S. prices. Potential tariff absorption: 10% - They said a 10% tariff would be absorbable in many cases, but the larger issue was stacked Chinese tariffs plus loss of exemption. Framework RISC-V mainboard price: 200 freedom dollars - The Framework 13-compatible RISC-V mainboard price was discussed as a developer-focused product. Framework mainboard specs: StarFive JH7110, 4 cores, 8 GB LPDDR4 - The board was described as using soldered memory and microSD/eMMC storage. RTX 5080 price increase at MSI: 14% increase to $1,139.99 - MSI reportedly raised prices on out-of-stock 50-series cards. MSI 5090 price: $2,379 - MSI’s MSRP 5090 was said to be $380 above MSRP. Asus ROG Astral 5090 price: $3,079 - Asus increased pricing on its high-end 5090 model. 4090 resale in Canada: ~$2,000 CAD, then ~$3,000+ CAD - Plouf tracked 4090 resale prices as an indicator of how expensive a 5090 upgrade would be. LTT audience gender split: 95.5% male / 3.3% female / 1.2% user-specified - They cited analytics while discussing women’s apparel and audience demographics. LTT audience age demo: 25–34 dominant - The hosts joked that the channel is not for kids, but for working-age adults. PNP/merch backlog context: Over 500 members - Smash Champs gym memberships were cited as evidence that the fitness facility is doing well. Lean on public interest: 20,000 live viewers (approx.) - WAN Show was referenced as having a large live audience that keeps the hosts publicly visible. Rooster Teeth revival ownership: 2 buyers (Bernie Burns and his wife) - They noted the company was repurchased by its original co-founder and spouse. Pixel 4a battery impact: Less than 2 hours of battery life in some reports - Users reported severe battery life reduction after Google’s update. LTT water bottle lid reuse concern: Same mold/logo on a non-LTT bottle - The hosts speculated whether a gym had bought their lids or whether the factory reused the mold improperly. Private jet example: Under $1 million - They compared older, cheaper jets to much pricier new aircraft, noting that operating costs still make ownership expensive. Yacht size discussed: 123 feet - The tech yacht idea focused on a large used yacht that would need extensive consideration before purchase. Yacht price discussed: $1.7 million USD - The hosts considered a 123-foot yacht surprisingly affordable relative to its size, before maintenance costs were discussed. Build volume for most popular private plane: Just over 700 made - They discussed how small the aviation market is and how few of a given model exist.

Pivotal Quotes: "The issue is not the 10%. The issue is that it activated another, I think, 20 plus percent of tariffs with no de minimis exemption." — Linus: Explaining why tariff uncertainty could have severely impacted LTT Store shipments and margins. "What I’m saying is it’s not about hate. Competing to make better content. It’s like competing against a fading industry." — Linus: Summarizing why tech channel strategy feels harder as hardware demand and affordability shift. "The point is, we work really hard to upload videos that are engaging for our audience." — Linus: Arguing that steady views come from high production effort, not from easy-to-sell hardware alone.

Implications: Listeners should expect more caution around product launches, continued emphasis on high-production “event” videos, and increased pressure on tech media to justify coverage with utility or spectacle. The episode also signals ongoing concern about consumer rights, privacy, and the economics of making ambitious hardware/content projects.