Improving Alpha: How Institutional Investors Make Sense of Platformocracy in Investing
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As more institutional investors increasingly rely on massive amounts of data and consolidated software ecosystems, the term Platformocracy is finding its way into everyday usage. The term is defined as how major technology companies function as unelected governments, leveraging their networks to unilaterally dictate free speech, rules around online privacy, and more, all without impartial oversight. Given this landscape, how can institutional investors navigate allocation strategies to avoid risks in their investments and keep their investment strategies private?
In our latest episode of the Improving Alpha podcast series, host Michael Oliver Weinberg speaks with Jonathan Bellack, ex-Googler and Author of the Platformocracy newsletter, to discuss his insights on corporate controls tied to digital communities, privacy concerns on data usage, AI-driven market manipulation, and more.
Key takeaways include:
- How did Jonathan’s career evolve from building and growing sustainable businesses to working in digital counter-abuse and safety technology?
- Can technology companies really build a transparent democratic process for their online communities, or does the concept of implicit feudalism win the day?
- The concept of exit signals, and how organizations pay closer attention to them before it’s too late.
- What is the idea of surveillance capitalism, and the impact on digital privacy?
- How should asset owners look at information integrity, and can it be considered a systemic risk in today’s digital environment?
- What are Jonathan’s thoughts on ethical investing and how it relates to fiduciary duties?
- Will AI-driven governance make platforms more stable for investors?
- And more.
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About Our Guest:
Jonathan Bellack has spent more than 30 years working across the evolution of the internet economy, beginning with dot-com startups before earning his MBA and helping lead a SaaS turnaround that was later acquired by Google for $3.1 billion. During his 15 years at Google, he served as a senior product management leader, helping build billion-dollar advertising businesses while also leading efforts focused on online safety and counter-abuse technologies that impacted billions of users worldwide. After leaving Google in 2023, Jonathan spent a year building the Applied Social Media Lab at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society.
Today, Jonathan focuses on helping product-driven organizations and leaders solve problems and deliver meaningful outcomes. He also publishes Platformocracy, a weekly newsletter exploring participatory governance and accountability in online communities.
Outside of work, Jonathan is a husband and father of two sons with a passion for grilling, whiskey, and all things nerd culture. He serves on the boards of Montclair Local Nonprofit News and New Jersey 11th for Change, as well as the Trust & Safety Advisory Group at the Institute for Security and Technology. He also guest lectures on product leadership at Columbia and UCLA business schools, and recently added “dog owner” to the list.
The information covered and posted represents the views and opinions of the guest and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Vidrio Financial, and/or our host, Michael Oliver Weinberg. The Content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional investing advice. Always seek the advice of your financial advisor or other qualified financial service provider with any questions you may have regarding your investment planning.
The release date may not correspond to the recording date.