
Better Offline
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.
Latest episodes

35 snips
May 2, 2025 • 28min
I'm Mad As Hell, And I'm Not Gonna Take It Anymore
The discussion dives into the deceptive hype surrounding generative AI, comparing it with Google’s offerings and highlighting ChatGPT's advantages. It raises concerns about the sustainability of corporate investments in AI, revealing financial risks for players like Amazon. The need for robust data protection in an era of rising identity theft is also emphasized. Finally, the importance of community connections through platforms like Discord and financial education for children is celebrated.

42 snips
May 1, 2025 • 7min
Monologue: Why We Need Tech Criticism More Than Ever
The conversation dives into the urgent need for robust tech criticism, especially in light of generative AI's rise. It highlights how overly optimistic narratives can obscure significant dangers in tech. The discussion critiques media hype around trends like the metaverse and cryptocurrency, stressing the need for accountability. Ultimately, it advocates for informed public discourse that recognizes technology’s profound societal impact, calling for a reevaluation of how we engage with modern advancements.

35 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 31min
The BS Bubble
This discussion critiques the media's blind acceptance of OpenAI's claims and its financial forecasts. Skepticism is emphasized towards AI's potential, contrasting corporate optimism with reality. The episode also addresses the disconnect between lofty projections and actual performance. Parent strategies for managing children's screen time are introduced, along with health solutions and engaging activities. Ultimately, it debunks the hype surrounding artificial general intelligence, calling for a more realistic perspective on AI's future.

32 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 13min
Monologue: The Tech I Actually Like
Discover the tech that truly resonates, as the speaker shares personal insights on transformative gadgets and the joy they bring. From ergonomic keyboards to fitness tech like the Tonal exercise machine, hear how these innovations support personal growth. Explore the role of online connections in overcoming social anxieties and building communities, while reflecting on the complexities of digital relationships. A heartfelt tribute to the power of technology unfolds, balanced with a critique of the companies behind it.

63 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 34min
How Big Tech Is Losing Their Antitrust Trials feat. Jason Kint
Jason Kint, CEO of Digital Content Next, dives deep into the recent antitrust trial losses faced by Google and Meta. He sheds light on Google's monopolistic practices in digital advertising and discusses the court's findings that reveal unsettling truths about their auction manipulations. The conversation explores the paths forward for Big Tech, emphasizing the potential for significant changes in industry regulations. Kint's insights provide a glimmer of hope for fair competition and innovation in technology's future.

47 snips
Apr 18, 2025 • 43min
OpenAI Is A Systemic Risk To The Tech Industry
The discussion reveals how OpenAI's shift to for-profit raises systemic risks for the tech industry. It highlights the precarious financial ties between giant players like CoreWeave and NVIDIA, drawing eerie parallels to the 2008 financial crisis. The podcast emphasizes the urgent need for regulation amidst AI advancements and critiques a viral fan fiction that offers unrealistic predictions about AI's future. Furthermore, it addresses OpenAI's shaky financial sustainability and the broader implications for emerging companies in the tech landscape.

42 snips
Apr 17, 2025 • 10min
Monologue: How The Media Keeps Inflating Bubbles
The podcast delves into how the media's shallow coverage of complex topics like AI leads to inflated narratives and unrealistic expectations. It critiques access journalism, emphasizing the need for deeper understanding among reporters. Listeners learn how media shapes public perception, creating economic bubbles and influencing behaviors. The discussion highlights the urgent need for critical thinking to combat misleading narratives and calls for more responsible journalism in the tech sphere.

73 snips
Apr 16, 2025 • 40min
OpenAI Cannot Survive
The discussion dives into the precarious future of OpenAI, stressing its unsustainable financial model and the impact of major investors like SoftBank. There's a detailed analysis of the company's ambitious Stargate project and the looming $28 billion expenses. Challenges with GPU capacity and server performance are highlighted, revealing the strain of scaling operations. The episode wraps with a lighthearted take on modern conveniences and the perks of online engagement.

30 snips
Apr 11, 2025 • 8min
Monologue: OpenAI's Non-Profit Problem
Explore the precarious balance of OpenAI's hybrid structure as it grapples with its non-profit roots while facing financial pressures. Delve into the legal challenges posed by a petition to the California Attorney General, which threatens the organization's very existence. The discussion highlights the broader implications for the generative AI industry and raises questions about the sustainability of such models in a rapidly evolving landscape.

40 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 25min
Radio Better Offline: Allison Morrow, Paris Martineau & Ed Ongweso Jr.
Join Allison Morrow, a CNN tech commentator, Ed Ongweso Jr. from the Tech Bubble newsletter, and Paris Martineau of The Information as they dive into the collapse of the AI bubble. They discuss the viral 'AI 2027' fan fiction and its unrealistic predictions. The trio critiques the tech industry's overhyped narratives and examines the growing disillusionment with corporate AI claims. They explore the vital role of human decision-making in AI applications while humorously addressing the disconnect between tech leaders and real-world implications.