Join Jesse Farrar, a tech skeptic and co-host of Your Kickstarter Sucks, alongside Max Cherney from Reuters, Mashable's Matt Binder, IT Brew's Tom McKay, and tech commentator Ed Ongweso Jr. as they dive into CES 2025. They explore bizarre tech innovations like an AI-enabled stethoscope and a dog air purifier while sharing laughs over the absurdities of the show. The group critically examines the overhyped AI technologies redefining 'usefulness' in the industry and emphasizes the need for accountability in tech claims.
The discussion reveals collective anticipation for Severance Season 2, emphasizing its impactful storytelling and evolving character dynamics.
Participants share humorous anecdotes about absurd gadgets at CES, reflecting the chaotic energy and excitement surrounding innovative technology.
The conversation critiques crowdfunding platforms for often disappointing tech results, highlighting the gap between expectation and reality in ambitious projects.
Speakers express skepticism about the utility of AI features in consumer products, questioning their practical benefits versus marketing gimmicks.
Deep dives
Anticipation for Severance Season 2
The discussion opens with excitement surrounding the upcoming release of Severance Season 2 on Apple TV+. It highlights the show's impactful storytelling and the collective anticipation built over the past months. The mention of specific characters and relationships teases deeper plot developments, signaling a shift in character dynamics as they navigate their circumstances. This teaser ignites curiosity about how the narrative will unfold and what challenges the characters will face in the new season.
Consumer Electronics Show Exploration
The conversation shifts to the theme of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) after a participant recounts a nostalgic experience visiting with their father. They describe the chaotic environment filled with innovative technology, emphasizing the energy and excitement that permeates the event. Various guests share their thoughts on the absurdity of some gadgets, leading to humorous anecdotes about products and booths they've encountered. This segment encapsulates the thrill of exploring groundbreaking technology while humorously critiquing the bizarre products that often appear.
Critique of Crowdfunding and Bad Tech
The discussion delves into the criticisms surrounding crowdfunding platforms and the often disappointing products that emerge from them. One participant reflects on how such platforms can sometimes lead to more bad tech than meaningful innovation. They emphasize the expectation versus reality gap, particularly when ambitious ideas fail to materialize into functional products. This critique highlights the broader implications of tech promises and the need for accountability in the crowdfunding space.
The Role of AI in Consumer Technology
A significant point of conversation centers around the increasing integration of AI into consumer products showcased at CES. The speakers express skepticism about the genuine utility of AI features, questioning whether they truly enhance user experience or serve as marketing gimmicks. They touch on specific products, like the AI spoon designed to alter the user's taste perception, showcasing the bizarre lengths companies go to in order to incorporate AI. The overall sentiment suggests a cautious approach to technology that isn't necessarily practical or beneficial for everyday consumers.
Concerns Over Health Tech Claims
A heated exchange arises on the topic of health tech products presented at CES, particularly regarding their efficacy and the claims made by companies. Participants discuss a specific example of a VR product claiming to assist those with autism and dyslexia, expressing frustration about the lack of scientific backing. They highlight the responsibility the tech industry has to provide transparent and accurate information about health-related products. The dialogue underscores the potential dangers of misleading health claims in technology, especially when it pertains to vulnerable populations.
Evaluating the Viability of New Technologies
The group reflects on the critical gaps in understanding the practical applications of new technologies, especially in areas like AI chips and consumer electronics. The conversation pulls back to a broader commentary on the expectations versus reality of tech advancement, suggesting that while some innovations hold promise, many are still in nascent stages. They stress the importance of realistic approaches to product development and market implementation. The dialogue serves as a reminder that not all technological trends translate to immediate consumer benefits.
The Glamour and Absurdity of CES
Concluding thoughts bring a humorous acknowledgment of the absurdity that often characterizes CES. The speakers share experiences of bizarre product demonstrations, highlighting both the creative potential and ridiculousness of consumer electronics. They acknowledge the spectacle of the event while critiquing some of the less practical innovations showcased. This reflection encapsulates the duality of CES as a platform for both real technological progress and whimsical inventions that leave attendees questioning their purpose.
Welcome to Better Offline’s coverage of the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show - a standup radio station in the Venetian with an attached open bar where reporters, experts and various other characters bring you the stories from the floor. In the second episode, Ed Zitron is joined by Jesse Farrar and Michael Hale of Your Kickstarter Sucks, Henry Casey of CNN Underscored, Max Cherney of Reuters, Matt Binder of Mashable, Tom McKay of ITBrew and journalist Ed Ongweso Jr. to talk about trying to find something useful that AI does in a show where everybody uses AI so liberally that it's effectively stopped meaning anything.
