Office Hours: The Next Big Thing After Smartphones, Scott’s Favorite Things To Do in LA, and Advice to a 79-Year-Old Parent

Scott gives his thoughts on why mixed reality headsets are not going to be the next big thing for tech consumers. He then takes a question from a listener who is moving to LA and offers his recommendations on how to enjoy the city. He wraps up with financial advice to an older parent and shares what he would tell his sons at 79 years old. Music: https://www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Speaker names marked ? are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.

• 0:01Scott Galloway?

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• 0:48Speaker 01

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• 1:26Scott Galloway?

  Welcome to the Prof G Pod's Office Hours. This is a part of the show where we answer your questions about business, big tech, entrepreneurship, and whatever else is on your mind. If you'd like to submit a question, please email a voice recording to [email protected]. Again, that's [email protected]. First question.

• 1:43Speaker 02

  Hi Scott, this is Alex from Berlin. I'm reading all those reviews on the R, including yours on the Apple Vision Pro. And... My feeling says that we are missing one important point in all of these reviews. All of these reviews are looking at the shortcomings of those goggles and how clumsy it is and how much friction is associated. But there is an interesting question that's beyond all of the current state of VR goggles and that is, what is the next big thing after the smartphone?

• 2:27Speaker 02

  And that's a trillion dollar question. It probably won't be solved in the next one, two, three years, but I would love to get your thoughts on this. Are these VR goggles a preview of what's about to come? So I would love to get your thought on that.

• 2:49Scott Galloway?

  Thanks for the question, Alex in Berlin. In 2007, Apple introduced the iPhone and really gave birth to kind of, you'd argue, the smartphone era. There's about, I think, over 2 billion iPhones have been sold since its introduction. AR and VR adoption is, it's still early and it's estimated or projected to continue to have enormous growth. According to Statista, the number of people using VR hardware is projected to reach 98 million people this year, with, well, 23 million people will be exploring advanced AR technology. They estimate that by 2027, both AR and VR will exceed 100 million users globally. Still a long shot from the billions of global smartphone users. According to Goldman, Goldman Sachs, that is, I call them Goldman because we're very close.

• 3:32Scott Galloway?

  And it was estimates from Goldman are that the AR/VR market will reach 80 billion by 2025. Meanwhile, Citigroup has estimated the sector will grow by more than $2 trillion by 2035. Look, I just don't buy into AR and VR. I shouldn't say that. I don't buy into VR. I buy into AR. I think augmented reality, being able to hold up your smartphone, you're in Soho, you're walking by, you see a cool apartment building, you think, I'd really like to know what's available there. You hold up your phone, you put it into real estate mode. It shows you what apartments are for rent, how much it is, the layout, the floor plan. You click speak to a realtor or someone comes on and says, yeah, that building is great. I can send someone to show you an apartment, whatever it might be. You flip on something, I don't even know what they are, but it says this is who's here,

• 4:15Scott Galloway?

  who's interested in having, you know, meeting up for a beer. I, I, I think there's all sorts of things you could do with augmented reality. I thought the next big thing was going to be voice. And actually, voice assistance declined in usage for the first time last year, which really shocked me, but I still think voice is going to have a lot of resonance and progress. I also think AI is going to be big. I'm an AI optimist. It's obvious you read my post on the mixed reality headset from Apple. I don't think it works for a few reasons. One, first and foremost, I think it's a Neanderthal that's this heavy browed Neanderthal that's headed for extinction because as a species, we don't want shit on our head. That doesn't make us more attractive or more util.

• 5:00Scott Galloway?

  If in fact, the technology got to the point where it could be embedded even for two or three grand into a pair of Porsals or Ray-Bans, I'm down with that. I think it would be huge. According to Mark Zuckerberg, that is about 10 years away. The thing that struck me here is if Apple had released a car, I believed Tim Cook would have driven out in the car and gotten out of it. I think his buddy Bob Iger that was there would have been in the passenger seat. Did you notice that neither Mr. Cook or Mr. Iger got near this headset and didn't put it on? Did you also notice that the people who are allowed to beta test it could only use it for up to 30 minutes? Why? Because at about 30 minutes, it starts weighing on your head and you start feeling nauseous. So I just, I, I kind of think this thing is over before it begins.

• 5:44Scott Galloway?

  Now, having said that, a lot of really thoughtful pushback from people. One, my old business partner, Ian Chaplin, who was always kind of the pragmatic technologist and, and the secret sauce in our success early on. He said, Scott, why wouldn't you want to travel with a 4K monitor wherever you go? That kind of makes sense. Put it on whether you're watching movies or doing a Zoom, you have this amazing. 4K monitor that immerses you in whatever the situation is and the entertainment is. Okay, I get it. A lot of B to B applications, the next thing of spatial computing, even my podcast co-host Kara Swisher has said, we've got to move from just staring at a screen or at our phone. I get it. I get it. And to be fair, Apple has the brand, the staying power

• 6:25Scott Galloway?

  and the capital to probably iterate and get to something reasonable. I don't think this makes any sense. I think it was started or greenlit during an era when Tim Cook wanted a call option against the metaverse taking off such that he didn't get caught flat footed by his nemesis, Mark Zuckerberg. One of the things I love about Tim Cook, other than he has added more shareholder value than any individual in history, is that I just know deep down, he hates the Zuck. And I like that. I like that a lot. Well, seems like a nice man. Seems like a nice man, doesn't he? Anyways, I would just like to admit that headsets and crypto just don't work and are never going to be more than niche markets. Crypto is never, it's about a trillion dollars right now. It's worth a third of what Apple is

• 7:07Scott Galloway?

  worth, the whole market. And I don't think headsets work. I could be wrong. I could be wrong. What is the next thing? I think the next thing is generative AI. I see my son, my 12 year old is on these design AIs coming up with new pictures. I'm using it all over the place. How, how many times use the blockchain today? Jesus Christ. Generative AI, you're saying what I think is the next thing? I thought it was going to be voice. I thought 3D printing was stupid. We have an amazing 3D printer called China. The internet of things never made any sense to me. I don't need my blender to speak to the internet. Wearables, sort of, sort of. I think the only wearable that works is basically your iPhone. The Apple Watch, which is testament to Apple's staying power. I don't think was a great

• 7:51Scott Galloway?

  product, but they've kind of hung in there and they now produce more watches than the entire Swiss watch industry. So if anyone could figure out how to turn chicken shit into chicken salad, it's Apple. But let's be clear. I think a mixed reality headset is in fact chicken shit. Thanks for the question. Next question.

• 8:09Speaker 03

  Hi, Professor G. This is Tristan in London.

• 8:13Speaker 03

  I hope you've enjoyed your first year in London. Apology for the weather. I'm going in the opposite direction. I am about to get on a plane to LA. I'm in my mid thirties. I have a job that I love. I work in a architectural construction and engineering multinational consulting on innovation, learning and development project. I get to work with great people, building amazing things. The company has a great ethic and shared culture, which is why I'm making this transfer. I have a hundred and one questions I could ask you. A move like this affects everything from family, friend, finances, relationships.

• 8:52Speaker 03

  So what I want to ask is, what do I do in that first week, in that first month, in that first year in the US? I don't doubt you are a scholar of transatlantic culture and differences. Um, what do I do to make this move a success? Thank you.

• 9:12Scott Galloway?

  So I don't see these questions before people ask, but this is one of those questions where I wish I had some time because I think I could come up with a really thoughtful answer, but I need a little bit more time. But anyways, here goes. I think the first thing you want to do before you get there is reach out to as many people as possible who might know people there and say, I'm really up for meeting people. And say yes to everything and go to a bunch of stuff and try and meet a bunch of people. I don't, I didn't, I didn't get a sense for whether you have a partner or a spouse or kids or not. Uh, the second thing I would do is just logistically, I would try and create a cocoon. The one of the things I don't like about LA, I've lived in five cities, LA, San Francisco, Miami, New York and London. The only city I would not live in again is San Francisco. And I don't bind all the shit posting about what a terrible city it is right now. I think it's the most beautiful city in America aesthetically.

• 9:58Scott Galloway?

  I just didn't like the weather, specifically the monotony of the weather. It's those jeans and sweater. It's like almost sixty degrees. And I found it was politically extreme. I don't like political extremes on the right or on the left. Anyways, having said that, I love LA. I love LA. You get up there and it in February and it's sixty five and clear and you're like, Jesus Christ, I love LA. What to do, my brother? First off, first off, the only thing that's not great about LA or one of the only things that's not great. About LA in addition to the massive increase in uptick in homeless people, which is obviously disturbing, is that you're in your car too much. So I would just logistically, in terms of your work and where you decide to live, try and create a little bit of a cocoon such that you're not in your car all goddamn day. And it's easy to find yourself in your car all day if you don't really plan.

• 10:42Scott Galloway?

  So give up on some space, give up on some amenities if you can live near your work, such that you're not commuting all the time. Oh my God, Hollywood Bowl, Zuma Beach, the counter for breakfast at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Head out to Coachella in Palm Springs or just go to Palm Springs, go down to Laguna Niguel. I mean, LA, go to El Coyote and have margaritas and kind of mediocre Mexican food, but just absorb the vibe, walk around Hancock Park. Oh my God, LA, Los de los Angeles. I, I love everything about LA. There's nothing, it's like what not to do, my friend. Go to the rooftop of the Waldorf for a fancy lunch.

• 11:26Scott Galloway?

  Take a girl you're interested in impressing or a guy you're interested in impressing to Nobu in Malibu. And I think you want to give yourself a year before you make any snap judgments, because I live in London now. I've made a snap judgment based on the hell that is London's winter and think, you know, I don't like it that much, but the reality is it's a great city. And now that the sun is out, I'm like, oh, I love it here. The dog loves it here. The dog can run, the dog can run. And I've been going to a bunch of Premier League games, which, you know, kind of sands over all the rough edges, but LA, oh my gosh, the Latin culture, the Mexican food, the, the entertainment, the fabulousness that the entertainment industry provides it. There's just so many incredible fun things to do.

• 12:10Scott Galloway?

  In-N-Out Burger, for God's sakes, it's worth it moving to LA just for In-N-Out Burger. I like to go to the one, the first and last thing I always do when I go to LA. I fly into LAX and then I go to that great In-N-Out Burger on Sao Paulo. That is my kind of port of entry. That is my ease of entry. That is how I ease into Los Angeles. I absolutely love the hotels there. Drive up the one or the 101 or whatever it's called, the Pacific Coast Highway, stop in San Francisco and then San Luis Obispo and then Carmel, the ultimate collision of sea, sky and land brought to you by God that is California. I just absolutely love Los Angeles. So drink it up, my brother. Say yes to everything. Right now, start

• 12:51Scott Galloway?

  finding people who live there and saying, hey, I'm moving to LA. I generally find people are pretty friendly in California or everywhere. And say yes to drinks, say yes to breakfast meetings and just go out and find your people. But oh my gosh, what to do in LA, what not to do in LA. It's a wonderful, wonderful city, a collision of sunshine, of creativity, of Mexican and Latin culture, of interesting architecture, of Hollywood, of old Hollywood. I used to live in a silent film movie star's house, Paula Negri, I think her name was in, where was I? I was in Los Feliz. Amazing. Los Feliz is amazing. What to do, what not

• 13:33Scott Galloway?

  to do, what not to do. And the first thing is realize how fortunate you are to be your age and have the opportunity to move like a, to move to a great place such as Los Angeles. I am jealous. You're gonna have a wonderful time. Well done, amigo. Welcome to Los Angeles, the city of angels, the city of angels. We have one quick break before our final question. Stay with us.

• 13:57Scott Galloway?

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• 14:41Scott Galloway?

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• 15:14Scott Galloway?

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• 15:59Scott Galloway?

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• 16:22Scott Galloway?

  Welcome back. Question number three.

• 16:24Speaker 04

  Hi, Scott. This is Steve. I'm probably not in the same demographic mix as most of your followers, but still, I've been a fan for several years. I'm a 79-year-old American living in Singapore with two teenage daughters. Yep, 79, and started having kids when I was 60. And they're the love of my life. I've been successful in starting and operating for many years a boutique international executive search company in incredibly business-friendly Singapore. I also have the option of operating my business in lower-cost Thailand, where I have a house and a second office. My elder daughter has just been accepted for fall admission at the University of Southern California

• 17:09Speaker 04

  School of Dramatic Arts with a good scholarship. My younger daughter will start college in three years. Less any scholarships, I'm facing a million-dollar tab, plus or minus, for two US college educations.

• 17:26Speaker 04

  I'm realistic enough to know I may not be around to see my daughters launch and grow their professional careers. But there's a quote I read somewhere which says, "Children are our gift to a future we'll never see." I like that sentiment. I have two questions for you. I'm not rich, but I'm okay. What financial or investment options exist to help ensure the money I do have is protected enough to see my daughters through college, while leaving something for me and my much younger wife to exist on if we need to move to a lower-cost Asian country?

• 18:08Speaker 04

  And question two, if you were my age with limited time left, what words of wisdom and advice would you pass on to your sons that they would carry in their hearts for the rest of their lives? Thanks in advance.

• 18:22Scott Galloway?

  I'm sort of stilled by that question, or those questions. First off, congratulations. It sounds like you have, you know, kids who love you. You're living in Singapore, which must be an incredibly interesting experience. You, it sounds like you were raised in America and you had the courage and the adventure to go to Singapore. So let me start with investments. The you're at a stage where you're going to want to limit your risk because you don't have a lot of time to make it back again. Your risk profile is different than someone who's my age, much less someone who is 25.

• 19:03Scott Galloway?

  So the basic algorithm for economic security, and I just wrote a book on this, is one, focus, find what you're good at, and find something you're good at that people pay you for. It sounds like you found that. The second is live below your means. Live like a stoic, recognize that things won't bring you happiness, experiences do, and your balance in your life will be a function of some sacrifices early in your life and living below your means. And it sounds like you're still making money. And this is where Thailand comes in. I think Bangkok is arguably, there's always sort of a, an arbitrage, a life arbitrage by moving. And the two biggest arbitrages I see, and what I mean by that is moving to a place that has a kind of the benefits of an urban or an urban sensibility and professional

• 19:47Scott Galloway?

  opportunity, but the costs of a more rural or lower cost environment, such that there's an arbitrage there, a lifestyle arbitrage. The lifestyle arbitrage in the US used to be moving from California, New York, to Texas or Florida, respectively. That margin has been starched out as more people move to Austin. Housing prices skyrocketed as they have in Florida. I moved to Florida in 2010. I bet the value of our home has doubled or tripled, so it's no longer an arbitrage for people moving. There's an arbitrage in two cities that I see that is incredible arbitrage right now. The first is Mexico City, incredible art scene, incredible food scene, still reasonably priced, and Bangkok. I just think it's an amazing city that's very cosmopolitan, interesting.

• 20:30Scott Galloway?

  If you have professional opportunities, I think Bangkok would be an interesting place. Now, at the age of 79, you want to think about things like healthcare, but Bangkok has, I think, actually pretty good healthcare if you have the money. But if you could maintain a Singapore salary living in Bangkok, you'd be able to save more money. And then, so it's focus times stoicism or living below your means. And then it's time of which you don't have 40 years. If you start saving $100 at the age of 21 a month, you're going to have $1 million by the time you're 65. And you have about $100,000 if you start saving at 35. So, you know, just to be blunt, time is not on our side. I'll say that, I'm 58. The key for you in one word is simple, diversification.

• 21:15Scott Galloway?

  And that is going into a series of investments and there's now bots that can do this and Charles Schwab can help you with this. That will help you make sure that you are sufficiently diversified. This is where you do not want to be. You do not want to fall in love with one, anyone asset class, geography, sector, or much less in any individual stock, because the wonderful thing about the markets is nobody knows. You may think that Tesla is unstoppable and they may be and they may perform really well and the stock could get cut in half. You just don't know. So simply put, you want to be incredibly diversified and also pay low fees. So things like Vanguard ETF index funds. You know, there's just no, there's not going to be an easy lunch here. I don't think you want to take outsized risks to try and hit it out of the park. And it doesn't sound as if you need to.

• 22:01Scott Galloway?

  What would I tell my sons at 79?

• 22:07Scott Galloway?

  You know, I wish I had been more, a couple of things. I wish I'd been more expressive of my emotions. Was so insecure when I was young. I wasn't affectionate or kind as kind as I could have been to other people. I wish I'd been more expressive of my emotions, told people when I admired them, told them when I wanted to be friends with them. So one, just err on the side of being kindness and also be aggressive, express interest and friendship. Send emails out to people who you want an interview with, approach, start talking to a woman you're attracted in. The line in front of you at Starbucks, there's nothing wrong with expressing romantic interest as long as you make that person feel safe.

• 22:47Scott Galloway?

  So I'm trying to tell my kids to be, to be more aggressive, that aggressive, to be aggressive is fine. One of the wonderful thing about masculinity is we are more risk aggressive. So I would say lean into that. And that doesn't mean harassing anybody. That doesn't mean being obnoxious, but it means taking a lot of initiative. And then more than anything, and this is what my mom, I think there are two reasons for my success. The first is the generosity envisioned of California taxpayers. And the Regents of the University of California that gave me a near free education from two world-class institutions, specifically UCLA and Berkeley. But the other thing was that I think I grew up with a sense of love, even though it was just me and my mom.

• 23:29Scott Galloway?

  And that love translated to confidence. My mom, just every day, in big and small ways, convinced me that I was wonderful. She was just so, she just thought I was so wonderful and communicated that through physical and non-physical affection. What I would want to tell my sons, and I try to tell them, is just how much you love them and how wonderful you think they are. Because I just think that that's something you carry with you the rest of your life as a young man, that your father just thought the world of you and just loved you immensely. Thank you so much, Steve. Best of luck to you. I'm really curious where you end up. Congratulations on your daughter being at USC. She must be very impressive. As much as I hate to admit it, USC is an amazing school now. And the

• 24:14Scott Galloway?

  fact that you're 79 and still working means you're healthy. You just sound like you're kind of killing it and living and continue to live a life of richness and reward. Thanks so much for the question.

• 24:27Scott Galloway?

  That's all for this episode. If you'd like to submit a question, please email a voice recording to [email protected]. Again, that's [email protected].

• 24:43Scott Galloway?

  This episode was produced by Caroline Shager. Jennifer Sanchez is our associate producer and Drew Burrows is our technical director. Thank you for listening to the Prop G Pod from the Vox Media Podcast Network. We will catch you on Saturday for No Mercy, No Malice, as read by George Hahn, and on Monday with our weekly market show.

• 25:02Speaker 05

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