Premium: Spotify rises to the Rogan/Young challenge – by applying Darwin wisdom

We're big fans of Spotify. The company's stock is held in both BizNews share portfolios – and we're in the process of moving our podcasts over to Spotify-owned Megaphone. We're also avid consumers of insights from its visionary founder and CEO Daniel Ek. Even more so after the past few days..The Swedish-headquartered multinational was thrust into the spotlight after Neil Young and Joni Mitchell very publicly ditched the platform, encouraging other musicians to follow. Their beef is with podcaster Joe Rogan, who, they claim, is spreading disinformation about Covid-19, vaccines and benefits of ivermectin..The piece by WSJ editorial board member Holman Jenkins is insightful. More relevant, however, is Spotify's response. It stuck with the principle of free speech – unlike Facebook (now Meta) which is paying dearly for a self-righteous censorship policy (see link below – shares dropped 20% overnight)..___STEADY_PAYWALL___.In supporting its podcasting superstar, it's almost as though Ek and Co recalled the words of great scientist Charles Darwin (pic above) who wrote: "As far as I can judge, I am not apt to follow blindly the lead of other men. I have steadily endeavoured to keep my mind free so as to give up any hypothesis, however much beloved, as soon as the facts are shown to be opposed to it.".More for you to read today:.Facebook's Stock Plunges After Profit Declines. Gloomy outlook startles investors as steep spending cuts into tech giant's profitsStocks Extend Winning Streak to Four Sessions. Strong earnings report from Google parent Alphabet outweighs weak economic dataValue Investing Is Back. But for How Long? A bounce in bond yields is good news for dividend payersPayPal Stock Tumbles After Disappointing Earnings Guidance. Payments company lowers its 2022 profit outlook and scraps an ambitious growth strategy it put in place last year.NB FOR YOUR WALL STREET JOURNAL ACCESS….As a Premium subscriber you are entitled to full membership of wsj.com (normal price $29 a month). Be sure to action your access through the Premium link on the BizNews website. Because of The Wall Street Journal's credential requirements, be sure to create a password which has at least 8 characters and includes at least one letter and one number – NB it MAY NOT contain any special characters (ie #, !, @ etc). To maintain access to WSJ.com, you MUST enter our partner's website via BizNews Premium at least once a month. A final PS, if you had previously signed up for WSJ you'll need to clear the cookies from your device. Our help desk can assist – support@biznews.com..If you'd like to help sustain our independent voice, why not share the love by making a gift that keeps giving? Click here to access the BizNews Premium subscription signup form, and be sure tick the relevant box. At R100 a month and inclusive of full membership of The Wall Street Journal, it's a mind-expanding gift at an incredibly modest price.

Premium: Spotify rises to the Rogan/Young challenge – by applying Darwin wisdom

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