Skip to main content
Back to Discussions

Why This Isn't the Dot-Com Bubble | Martin Casado on WSJ's BOLD NAMES

Technology
United States
Started February 06, 2026

Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins of the Wall Street Journal sit down with a16z General Partner Martin Casado on WSJ’s Bold Names to ask whether the AI spending boom is a bubble waiting to burst. Martin explains why the fundamentals differ dramatically from the dot-com era—when WorldCom had $40 billion in debt versus today's tech giants with hundreds of billions on their balance sheets—and why a speculative valuation correction shouldn't be confused with systemic collapse. They also discuss wh...

Source Articles

Add Statement Analysis 0/5
🗳️ Join the conversation
5 statements to vote on • Your perspective shapes the analysis
📊 Progress to Consensus Analysis Need: 7+ statements, 50+ votes
Statements 5/7
Total Votes 0/50
💡 Keep voting and adding statements to unlock consensus insights

You're voting anonymously

Your votes are stored locally in your browser. Create an account to have your votes included in consensus analysis.

CLAIM Posted by will • Feb 06, 2026
While AI investments are robust, the potential for a correction in valuations raises concerns about future market stability.
💬 View Discussion
Be first to respond
0 total votes
CLAIM Posted by will • Feb 06, 2026
Investors should remain cautious; historical patterns suggest that rapid valuations can lead to significant downturns, regardless of current fundamentals.
💬 View Discussion
Be first to respond
0 total votes
CLAIM Posted by will • Feb 06, 2026
The current AI spending surge mirrors the reckless speculation of the dot-com era, suggesting a bubble that could burst.
💬 View Discussion
Be first to respond
0 total votes
CLAIM Posted by will • Feb 06, 2026
The AI boom's solid fundamentals, unlike the dot-com bubble, indicate sustainable growth rather than impending collapse.
💬 View Discussion
Be first to respond
0 total votes
CLAIM Posted by will • Feb 06, 2026
Tech giants today are financially stronger than those of the past, making a systemic collapse less likely despite market corrections.
💬 View Discussion
Be first to respond
0 total votes

💡 How This Works

  • • Add Statements: Post claims or questions (10-500 characters)
  • • Vote: Agree, Disagree, or Unsure on each statement
  • • Respond: Add detailed pro/con responses with evidence
  • • Consensus: After enough participation, analysis reveals opinion groups and areas of agreement