Better Offline
Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts
Better Offline is a weekly show exploring the tech industry’s influence and manipulation of society - and interrogating the growth-at-all-costs future that tech’s elite wants to build.
Combining narrative-form storytelling, one-on-one interviews and panel-based discussions, Better Offline cuts through the buzzwords and obfuscation of the tech industry, investigating and evaluating the schemes and scams of everyone from cryptocurrency scumbags to the greediest of the venture capital elite. Tech industry veteran Ed Zitron and a dynamic coterie of guests will help listeners understand the who, how and why of how tech’s most powerful players are changing the world - for better or for worse.
Combining narrative-form storytelling, one-on-one interviews and panel-based discussions, Better Offline cuts through the buzzwords and obfuscation of the tech industry, investigating and evaluating the schemes and scams of everyone from cryptocurrency scumbags to the greediest of the venture capital elite. Tech industry veteran Ed Zitron and a dynamic coterie of guests will help listeners understand the who, how and why of how tech’s most powerful players are changing the world - for better or for worse.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 20, 2026 • 36min
The Enshittifinancial Crisis: Part One
In a deep dive into the enshittification of the stock market, listeners are taken through the alarming decline of company value amidst toxicity. The discussion highlights how hypergrowth alters tech priorities, leading to wasted capital and poorer products. Facebook/Meta exemplifies product decay and questionable revenue practices. Analysts are critiqued for ignoring dangerous trends and perpetuating hype, while the role of AI as a growth catalyst draws attention. Ultimately, stocks are likened to casino chips, raising questions about true ownership.
21 snips
Jan 16, 2026 • 8min
Monologue: The Year Ahead
Ed Zitron dives into the unraveling story of Thinking Machines and its founder, Mira Murati, questioning the sustainability of the AI bubble without OpenAI's influence. He critiques NVIDIA's overpriced GPUs and highlights the turmoil within Thinking Machines, including talent poaching from OpenAI. Ed expresses skepticism toward AI jargon and warns that wasted investments could lead to a financial reckoning. He emphasizes OpenAI's critical role, predicting a domino effect on funding if it falters, and promises to track this unfolding narrative throughout the year.
52 snips
Jan 14, 2026 • 1h
The Anti-Consumer Electronics Show with Steve Burke
In a lively conversation, Steve Burke, founder of GamersNexus and expert in hardware analysis, joins to dissect CES keynotes from tech giants like AMD and NVIDIA. They critique NVIDIA's unfocused presentations and AMD's puzzling policy theatrics featuring a White House advisor. The duo dives into the surreal AI promises made and the lack of genuine consumer focus. They also tackle the growing consumer fatigue and the industry's troubling shift towards debt-driven AI investments, leaving listeners pensive about the future of tech.
14 snips
Jan 10, 2026 • 56min
CES 2026: Part Ten (Epilogue)
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.
Jan 10, 2026 • 2h 1min
CES 2026: Part Nine (Friday)
In this engaging discussion, Kyle Chouinard, a local reporter for the Las Vegas Sun, reveals how CES impacts Vegas tourism and the city's efforts to cultivate a tech sector. Garrison Davis, a journalist from It Could Happen Here, dives into the pitfalls of AI hype in product design. Robert Evans from Behind the Bastards shares thoughts on CES's emptiness despite flashy innovations. The trio exchanges humorous anecdotes about bizarre gadgets while addressing serious concerns like AI's influence on jobs and healthcare.
Jan 10, 2026 • 2h 4min
CES 2026: Part Eight (Friday)
Cory Doctorow, an advocate for digital rights, joins a talented group including YouTuber Michael Fisher, Engadget's Cherlynn Low, tech writer Edward Ongweso, and commentator Garrison Davis. They explore the potential of the Clicks Communicator for focused communication and express concerns over Amazon's surveillance capabilities. Discussions cover advanced eyeglasses like IXI and ethical questions around XR grief therapy. The panel also critiques automation, hardware accessibility, and the latest tech trends shimmering amidst the glitz of CES.
9 snips
Jan 9, 2026 • 2h 13min
CES 2026: Part Seven (Thursday)
Chloe Radcliffe, a comedian and actress, adds humor and sharp observations on the CES floor. Garrison Davis shares quirky insights from the show while Rob Pegoraro offers a seasoned perspective on emerging tech trends. They discuss the lack of major brands this year, the allure of novelty in Eureka Park, and the questionable hype around AI advancements. The group critiques the industry's automation approaches and the ethical implications of surveillance tech, wrapping up with thoughts on CES’s diminishing whimsy and meaningful consumer impact.
Jan 8, 2026 • 2h 2min
CES 2026: Part Six (Thursday)
In this engaging discussion, tech journalist Devindra Hardawar explores Dell's rebranding missteps at CES. Comedian Chloe Radcliffe shares her humorous takes on smart rings and the absurdities of tech trends. Reporter Matt Binder highlights the economic impacts of RAM shortages on consumer prices. The panel critiques AI's marketing hype versus real capabilities, noting the growing costs and diminishing returns in image generation. They advocate for buying used tech and emphasize the importance of real connections in our tech-driven lives.
Jan 8, 2026 • 2h 13min
CES 2026: Part Five (Wednesday)
Karissa Bell, a tech journalist from Engadget, shares her insights from the CES floor. Jared Newman discusses industry trends while Chloe Radcliffe brings humor to the table. Ed Ongweso Jr. critiques the growing focus on flashy concepts over practicality. They tackle slow laundry robots, Pebble's nostalgic comeback, and innovative assistive tech. The panel debates the purpose of CES, highlighting both exciting advancements and the recurring issue of vaporware. Expect laughter, candid reflections, and an engaging exploration of tech's future!
Jan 8, 2026 • 2h 10min
CES 2026: Part Four (Wednesday)
Chloe Radcliffe, a stand-up comedian and actress, shares her insights on tech culture at CES, humorously commenting on the absurdities of gendered marketing. Adam Conover, host of Factually, offers a comedic critique of AI products and the peculiar pitch of a BBQ grill with 'agents.' Matt Binder highlights on-the-ground observations about the ethical implications of robotic pets. The panel delves into social issues like male loneliness, emphasizing empathy and introspection over tech solutions, while also discussing the bizarre nature of CES booths.
