The WAN Show - Foxconn automates 60,000 jobs!? - May 27, 2016
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Promos
Check out NerdSports: vessel.com Sponsors lynda.com: lynda.com for a 10 day free trial Freshbooks: Head over to freshbooks.com and don’t forget to enter WAN in the “How Did You Hear About Us” section when signing up for your free trial. Squarespace: squarespace.com offer code LINUS to save 10%. Limited Edition Shirts: teespring.com teespring.com Soundcloud Link: soundcloud.com Timestamps courtesy of Ghost, JJMC89, and Sam Tilling (IPickle). 00:01:40 YouTubers H3H3 sued by YouTube The Boldguy over a Critical Reaction Video 00:12:20 Study Claims Fitbit Trackers are “Highly Inaccurate” 00:18:00 GTX 1080 Showcase 00:27:45 Jury sides with Google in Battle Over Android Software with Oracle 00:29:00 Japan ATM Heist Reportedly Involved 100 People Who Stole $12.7 Million 00:32:50 Foxconn Replaces “60,000” Factory Workers With Robots 00:38:40 Sponsor: Lynda 00:41:00 Sponsor: Freshbooks 00:42:30 Sponsor: Squarespace 00:45:15 First Tesla Driver Caught Sleeping With Autopilot On 00:47:50 Google to Embed Lots of Ads to Google Maps 00:48:30 Twitter Relaxes 140-Character Limit, Just a Bit 00:51:20 Marijuana Social Network is Denied Listing on Nasdaq 00:57:40 Cryorig Announces New “Mac Pro” Inspired Case 01:03:55 Computex
The WAN Show episode from May 27, 2016 covers a rapid mix of high profile tech news, legal drama in the YouTube creator space, and looming questions about automation and its impact on jobs. The hosts begin by outlining a developing situation where H3H3 Productions and Hila Klein face a copyright-related lawsuit from a fellow YouTuber known as The Bold Guy, including donations from major creators like Philip DeFranco, the Fine Brothers, PewDiePie, and others. They discuss the GoFundMe effort that formed to support the defendants, its surprising scale, and what it means for fair use in online content. The hosts then pivot to a separate legal topic, Google’s Android case against Oracle, explaining how the jury ruled in favor of Google and what that means for the use of Java in building Android. The discussion shifts toward a major tech hardware segment, highlighting a new wave of discussion around the GTX 1080 launch, partner cards, and cooling solutions showcased ahead of Computex. A notable portion of the show is devoted to a Japan ATM heist, drawing attention to the coordination required to steal millions and what it reveals about security challenges. The topic of Foxconn automating 60,000 jobs is framed as part of a broader shift toward robotics in manufacturing, with the hosts emphasizing that automation can create new kinds of jobs even as it displaces traditional roles. The episode explores how automation relates to the broader theme of the so-called third industrial revolution and whether economies can transition workers into new opportunities. Throughout, the hosts interweave sponsorship segments, hardware reviews, and live reactions to cutting edge tech news. They touch on the evolving landscape of 1080 graphics cards from multiple vendors, including EVGA, Zotac, and Asus, debating pricing, clock speeds, and the implications of two-PCIe power connectors for power delivery. In closing, the show revisits the central tension around automation, noting that while machines replace routine labor, they could also spur long-term innovation and new job categories. The hosts signal that Computex will bring even more coverage, with planned in-depth looks at new hardware and performance improvements. The show closes with a practical note on learning and adaptation, including sponsor messages and calls to action for the audience to engage with training resources and productivity tools. Overall, the episode blends humor and serious analysis to contextualize how iconic tech firms, legal battles, and global manufacturing trends intersect in the mid-2010s tech ecosystem.
Topics · technology · economy · current_events · copyright_law
Questions answered
- What led to the H3H3 Productions legal fundraising effort and what is the purpose of the escrow fund?
- H3H3 Productions faced a copyright infringement lawsuit related to a reaction video. In response, a GoFundMe was launched that raised substantial funds to support legal defense. The funds are intended to be held in an escrow account controlled by Ryan Morrison and Michael Lee (the video game attorney), and used to cover legal costs and fair use defense for the creators.
- How does the show describe the Google vs Oracle Android case verdict and its significance?
- The show explains that a federal jury found in favor of Google, ruling that Google's use of a rival's programming tools to build Android qualified for fair use, avoiding a potentially huge financial liability. This verdict is framed as a major victory that could set precedent for future software development practices and case law in similar situations.
- What is the central concern about Foxconn as discussed on the WAN Show, and how do the hosts frame its impact?
- The central concern is Foxconn replacing about 60,000 factory workers with robots, a move that reduces headcount while implying broader automation trends in manufacturing. The hosts frame this as part of a larger transition that could displace traditional jobs but also potentially create new opportunities in engineering, design, and automated system maintenance, reflecting the ongoing third industrial revolution.