Behind the Bastards It Could Happen Here Weekly 215
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Jan 17, 2026 Ben Roseporter, a sociologist, joins the discussion to provide on-the-ground insights about CES and technology culture. He critiques emotional robot demos, arguing they don’t truly create empathy. The hosts explore the future of healthcare wearables, highlighting privacy concerns with sensitive biometric data. They delve into the ethical implications of VR grief therapy, emphasizing the complexities of using deceased avatars. The conversation also touches on global youth uprisings and their impacts on climate and geopolitics.
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Most CES AI Is LLM Wrappers, Not New Tech
- Many CES devices merely wrap ChatGPT-style LLMs in plastic and call that innovation.
- Robert Evans argues these products aren't real when they depend entirely on remote chatbots and bad Wi‑Fi.
Cloyd Folds Towels Very Poorly
- At LG's demo the Cloyd robot spent two minutes trying and failing to fold a towel.
- The hosts use that demo to show these robots attract attention but don't deliver practical home utility.
Empathy Framed As Targeted Upsells
- Many exhibitors sell 'memory' and 'empathy' as features to make devices seem alive.
- Ben Roseporter warns reducing empathy to targeted upsells is ethically troubling.