In recent developments, a Chinese artificial intelligence company named DeepSeek has inadvertently sparked significant market movements. The firm's association—or lack thereof—with several public companies in China has led to notable stock price fluctuations. This situation highlights the speculative nature of investment rumors and their impact on financial markets.
On a tumultuous Monday, U.S. tech stocks experienced a dramatic sell-off, with Nvidia's shares plummeting by nearly 20%. Meanwhile, in China, the buzz around DeepSeek caused an unexpected surge in the stock prices of several publicly traded companies allegedly linked to it. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated. Companies like Huajin Capital and Zhejiang Orient saw their stock prices soar by the legal maximum daily gain of 10%, while Sublime China Information jumped by 20% based on rumored collaborations with DeepSeek.
Despite these gains, Sublime China Information officially denied any cooperation with DeepSeek in a public disclosure. Similarly, Huajin Capital refuted claims of investing in DeepSeek to a prominent Chinese business news outlet. Zhejiang Orient has yet to comment on the matter, but there is no public evidence supporting its involvement with DeepSeek.
The origin of these rumors appears to be from unverified lists circulating online, which have gone viral, linking various public companies to DeepSeek. As a private entity, DeepSeek has not disclosed any venture capital investments. Corporate records show that the company's founder, Liang Wenfeng, holds all beneficial ownership through three entities forming DeepSeek. Funding for DeepSeek primarily comes from High-Flyer, a quantitative firm led by Wenfeng himself. In previous interviews, Wenfeng mentioned discussions with potential investors but noted that venture capitalists were hesitant due to the company's research-focused approach rather than commercialization priorities.
DeepSeek did not respond to requests for comment on this matter.
From a journalistic perspective, this incident underscores the importance of verifying information before making investment decisions. It also highlights the volatility of markets when driven by speculative rumors. Investors should exercise caution and seek reliable sources to avoid being misled by unsubstantiated claims. The episode serves as a reminder of the need for transparency and accurate communication in the financial sector.
In a recent podcast, Jason Reitman revealed how his father Ivan Reitman's reluctance to revisit old stories may have influenced the long hiatus of the Ghostbusters franchise. Ivan directed the original 1984 film and its 1989 sequel but preferred focusing on new narratives rather than sequels. Despite this, Ivan returned as a producer for later projects in the series. Jason shared insights into his father's unique approach to filmmaking, highlighting moments that showcased Ivan's disinterest in continuity.
Ivan's preference for fresh storytelling significantly impacted the development of Ghostbusters over the decades. His lack of enthusiasm for sequels led to long gaps between films. Even when he did return as a producer, Ivan maintained his stance on creating new stories. This philosophy extended to minor details, such as the logo on the Ghostbusters car in the 1989 sequel, which Ivan admitted was likely a mistake.
Jason Reitman, during an interview on Neal Brennan’s podcast, shed light on his father's unconventional take on sequels. Ivan, who directed the iconic 1984 Ghostbusters and its follow-up in 1989, had a distinct view on continuing franchises. He often wondered why audiences wanted to revisit old stories when there were so many new tales to tell. This mindset shaped Ivan's career choices, leading him to explore diverse genres like comedy and drama instead of focusing on sequels.
According to Jason, Ivan's approach to storytelling was rooted in innovation and novelty. After the success of Ghostbusters, Ivan ventured into other projects, including Twins and Kindergarten Cop, showcasing his desire to tell fresh stories. This preference for new narratives meant that the Ghostbusters franchise did not receive the immediate attention it might have under different circumstances. Jason explained that his father's reluctance to revisit familiar ground was a significant factor in the franchise's prolonged dormancy. Ivan's focus on originality made him less inclined to produce direct continuations of previous works, even when they were highly successful.
Despite his initial aversion to sequels, Ivan Reitman eventually returned to the Ghostbusters universe as a producer for newer entries. Jason noted that while Ivan contributed to Paul Feig's 2016 reboot and his own 2021 legacy sequel, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, he still emphasized the importance of introducing new elements. Ivan provided feedback on the inclusion of classic elements from the 1984 film, questioning their necessity. For instance, when terror dogs appeared in Afterlife, Ivan expressed confusion about revisiting Gozer, advocating for a completely new narrative.
Jason highlighted an interesting anecdote from the 1989 sequel to illustrate his father's indifference to continuity. The Ghostbusters car in Ghostbusters II featured the sequel's logo, a detail that Ivan later admitted was probably a mistake. This oversight underscored Ivan's broader attitude towards sequels—his primary interest lay in crafting unique stories rather than maintaining strict continuity. Jason contrasted this with the meticulous interconnectedness of franchises like Marvel, noting that Ivan's approach was entirely opposite. Ivan simply wanted to tell compelling, standalone stories, regardless of whether they fit into a larger franchise. This philosophy has left a lasting impression on the Ghostbusters legacy, shaping its evolution over the years.