Better Offline CES 2026: Part Ten (Epilogue)
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Jan 10, 2026 
Cory Doctorow, a passionate advocate for digital rights and technology policy, joins seasoned bartender Phil Broughton to reflect on the 2026 CES. They dive into the quirky traditions of the CES suite and discuss the importance of practical, beautifully designed consumer products versus vaporware. Cory shares insights on Emotional Design, while Phil recounts oddities from the floor, including the bizarre history of shoe fluoroscopes. The conversation also touches on tech industry challenges, online harassment solutions, and the complexities of AI in the workforce.
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Suite Bartender Kept The Show Running
- Phil Broughton served as the suite bartender all week and quietly kept recordings running by ferrying drinks to guests and hosts.
- Ed Zitron credited Phil for sustaining the show's on-floor hospitality and production rhythm.
The Suite Tradition Came Back Strong
- Ed and guests revived the CES afterparty suite tradition that paused around 2020 and found this year's iteration the best yet.
- They already started scheming about improvements and plans for CES 2027.
Beauty Enables Better Troubleshooting
- Cory Doctorow argued beautiful, usable products make users calmer and better troubleshooters.
- He said design that reduces frustration increases users' ability to creatively solve problems.
