John McCarus

Impacted by the tech/digital media layoffs? Here's what we are telling senior people in transition... linkedin.com/pulse/impacted… via @LinkedIn @content-ink.com

@ashkan @JoeBiden @elonmusk @Tesla 100%. This was about Elon’s anti union stance. And the outcome was devastating. We all have to balance principle w reality. Biden was all principle - playing the long ball. Trump is transaction/no principle. - hoping that (like him) that no one remembers yesterday.

I wonder if @JoeBiden & the Democrats now regret undermining @elonmusk and @Tesla - imagine had they gotten behind the American carmaker & leading EV builder. Instead they antagonized the company. Ultimately, consumers and society pays the price.

@ashkan Appreciate the perspective Ash. Certainly not getting it from Trump land where everything is just duck and weave.

To succeed in life—whether in business, war, sports, or anything else—you need to understand and master the humanities: human behavior, incentives, identity, and bonds. Iranians, broadly speaking, are resilient—regardless of whether they are monarchists, regime supporters, or somewhere in between. But what made the IRGC particularly resilient was something more specific: a shared lived experience, especially the Iran-Iraq War (whether they fought in it, or planned it, or lived it). That common bond created cohesion, trust, and a sense of collective identity that went beyond ideology. The regime also learned from the Shah’s mistakes. It avoided becoming a one-man institution and instead built layers of redundancy—most importantly, succession planning. Contrast that with figures like Qasem Soleimani in the Levant, where much of the network was highly personalized; when he was removed, many of those relationships and plans weakened or collapsed. Inside Iran, however, the system held together because of that shared history and institutional layering. But that strength has limits. As senior leaders are systematically removed, the next generation stepping in does not share the same formative experiences, bonds, or legitimacy. Over time, as more layers are stripped away, cohesion weakens. At a certain point, this doesn’t necessarily lead to dramatic defections—but to something just as consequential: quiet disintegration. There is often concern about the disintegration of Iran’s territorial integrity. That risk exists, but it is likely overstated. The more immediate and realistic form of disintegration is internal: within the IRGC, the Basij, and the clerical establishment itself. In fact, many within these structures may already be planning—or executing—their exit strategies. It is not possible to predict when this will unfold. But it increasingly feels less like a question of if, and more a question of when. And this is precisely why the regime is reacting with heightened aggression. Like any wounded system, it is most dangerous in its final stages.

@RadioFreeTom Tom - I completely agree. Love Elissa but the dems are clearly not understanding that the rules have changed. Hakeem Jeffries is lovely but is now looking very out of step. Way too careful to be effective now. Your piece pinpoints exactly what so many are thinking.

My response to the Democratic response. Slotkin was fine, but this is not the time for normal politics.

@elonmusk Actually - democracy is about a balance of power not about dictatorship. Trump does have a mandate not does he have a mandate to lie about nearly everything that he intends to do or has already done. There is nothing democratic about this Presdent.

If ANY judge ANYWHERE can block EVERY Presidential order EVERYWHERE, we do NOT have democracy, we have TYRANNY of the JUDICIARY.

@BehizyTweets We protect Europe that prevent wars being fought in our country amongst other benefits. Don’t you agree that would be a lot more expensive and come with multiple negative consequences including dead Americans? Why are people so short sighted? Please pick up a history book.

BREAKING: The President of Congo just offered the United States ownership of his country's minerals to entice President Trump to put an end to the war backed by Rwanda. Congo holds more than half the world's Cobalt and Colton. They also have substantial deposits of Gold, Copper, Tin, Lithium, etc. China currently has a considerable influence in Congo's mineral sector, and before them, it was the Europeans. The United States is also one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world, with more reserves being discovered frequently. It's unclear whether President Trump would want a deal like this. But owning some of their minerals in exchange for security is at least far better than what we currently get for protecting Europe (NOTHING).

Criminal records of Jan. 6 rioters pardoned by Trump include rape, domestic violence and child abuse. I’m sorry. Given the time spent by DOJ to prosecute them, could Trump not have had someone read their case files? This was completely reckless. apple.news/APN7x9-7dQFStt…

Podcasters on YouTube linkedin.com/pulse/podcaste… via @LinkedIn

@ILpatriot76 @LeadingReport The election wasn’t stolen. Proven in court over 60 times. America can only survive if we face facts and admit truth. Instead we’ve got #MADA. “Make America Delusional Again. “

At sunrise tomorrow, it will be the new dawn of a nation reborn. We must never forget the past 4 years so that we may never let it happen again. Tomorrow, Donald J Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of The United States of America. Tomorrow we take back what was stolen from the American people on this date 4 years ago. Tomorrow, we start to fix the heart and soul of America. And it all starts with one man. The man who will lead our nation into an era of prosperity, growth, strength and above all, pride in being an American once again. Tomorrow, we start Making American Great Again….

BREAKING: Many senior career diplomats are resigning from the State Department, effective at noon tomorrow, after receiving instructions to do so from Trump’s aides, according to three U.S. officials.

Digital creators & Silicon Valley...why the love fest? linkedin.com/pulse/digital-… via @LinkedIn

@lessin 3.) I have drawn the Buzzfeed 2.0 comparison with Beast before but Buzzfeed's bigggest problem beyond platform overdependence and not diversiying quickly enough was that they over raised and were forced into abandoning what they believed in to satisfy short term rev growth.

Mr. Beast is Buzzfeed 2.0

@lessin 2.) The chocolate business is tough (and Burger shost kitchen model not scalable) but they are data driven and are banking lots of learnings and are also building a killer team. The next 2-3 product launches will be more telling. I'd say sit tight.

@lessin 1.) I understand your rationale but Jimmy is unique in that he has a huge philanthropic thread I think gives him a deeper connection than say a Jake Paul. Authenticity matters and MrBeast has been clear about his charity values from the start.

Great leadership is pretty damn hard to execute. Susan Wojcicki gave us a master class. linkedin.com/pulse/great-le… via @LinkedIn

Summertime is networking time. Need help? Rule #1 - Don’t Burn Through Your Network Without A Plan linkedin.com/pulse/need-hel… via @LinkedIn

Letter to Vidcon. Please keep creators in the center... linkedin.com/pulse/keep-cre… via @LinkedIn

This is the most well written POV I’ve seen on what to do about our President. God bless and let’s please get moving! nytimes.com/2024/07/10/opi…

Cannaheim Creator Reality linkedin.com/pulse/cannahei… via @LinkedIn

@LouPas @ptort @_ElectricLemon Love it. And you boys are so sensible splitting a sandwich….

Some friendships are timeless. My friend and mentor, Peter Tortorici, was in town for just a day. Caught up IRL for the first time since before the pandemic began. The freaking guy doesn’t age and he’s got really good stories about the media business! He needs to write a book!

@ashkan @WatchMojo Happen to catch this one Ash! Congrats on the continued success and hope you are well.

This took me down memory lane. logos.fandom.com/wiki/WatchMojo… I wonder if @WatchMojo viewers saw the smiley face right away…

@advertisingweek @google AI panel. First ever scripted fireside chat!