Redefining Online Speech & Identity: Is Social Media Your Living Room or the Town Square? -- Phil Ranta (COO, Wormhole Labs)

Phil Ranta is the COO of Wormhole Labs, a technology engine that enables users to immerse themselves in live virtual experiences. Phil has spent more than a decade in the digital media industry, first as an Executive Producer for Viva! Vision and later as VP of Networks at Fullscreen. He went on to serve as COO of Studio71, Head of Creators at Mobcrush, and most recently as Head of Gaming Creators, North America at Facebook.

This is a special round 2 episode with Phil, who originally joined me back in November 2015 as one of my first guests! In this latest conversation, we debate whether social media is a public forum (the Town Square) or a private community (one’s Living Room) and the impact that has on online speech and identity.

We also talk about the “Great Platform Unbundling,” as more exclusive social platforms and niche groups emerge online. What are the economic imperatives that social platforms face as they race for scale? Is this why organic reach often declines and platforms become “pay to play” as they mature? Or are there alternatives to advertising that can create sustainable monetization options for creators, such as user pay and commerce?

Finally, we examine how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are growing up on social media and the importance of teaching media literacy at a young age. We touch on cancel culture, meme stocks like the Gamestop short squeeze, and the recent HBO documentary Fake Famous about influencer culture. Phil offers his predictions for the future, particularly around the growth of the metaverse and social commerce, and shares what he’d like his ultimate legacy to be.

Host: James Creech

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ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

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ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Measure Studio (next-gen social media analytics) and Paladin (the essential influencer marketing platform).