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
156 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 53min
Vibe Coding is BS w/ Charlie Meyer
Charlie Meyer, founder and CEO of Picode, critiques the concept of vibe coding, arguing it often fails to create real software. He explores the challenges of AI tools like Replit, highlighting how they disrupt educational workflows and can lead to disastrous results. The conversation delves into the hype surrounding scaling laws, the realities of AI capabilities, and the consequences of relying on these technologies without adequate understanding. Meyer offers a contrarian perspective on tech narratives, advocating for a focus on practical skills in software development.
45 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 11min
Monologue: Dealing With The Weight Of History
Ed Zitron dives into the frustrations of tech and AI hype, questioning why companies shy away from reporting AI revenues. He reacts to OpenAI's staggering $11.5B loss, calling for transparency as the IPO looms. Rejecting despair, he critiques the tech industry's cycle of unattainable promises and highlights how everyday services are getting worse instead of better. Ed emphasizes the toxic focus on growth over usefulness and encourages finding community amid disillusionment, predicting that GPU spending will ultimately prove wasteful.
33 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 50min
The Internet Is The World's Worst Pharmacy w/ Paris Martineau & Ashwin Rodrigues
In this discussion, Paris Martineau, a Consumer Reports journalist known for her investigative work on food safety, teams up with freelance journalist Ashwin Rodriguez, who has expertise in dietary supplements. They delve into alarming findings about lead contamination in protein powders, revealing that 69% contain unsafe levels. The duo emphasizes the regulatory gaps in the supplement industry, likening it to the wild west, and unpack the risks of relying on online health advice. Their insights challenge common supplement practices and highlight the importance of informed choices.
63 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 13min
Monologue: Don't Be Scared Of Sora
Ed Zitron addresses the fears surrounding generative video, specifically focusing on Sora and its implications. He reveals how the launch stirred panic in Hollywood due to copyright concerns and highlights the costly nature of its output. Cherry-picked clips misrepresent the technology's unpredictable results, proving it more expensive than traditional methods. Additionally, he discusses the challenges of coherence and consistency in generated content, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human creativity in film-making. Ultimately, he reassures creatives that fear of generative video is largely misplaced.
121 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 21min
Exclusive: Here's How Much Anthropic Spends on AWS
This episode reveals Anthropic's staggering AWS expenditures, totaling $1.35 billion in 2024. A detailed breakdown shows their costs nearly match revenue, raising questions about profitability for LLMs. The discussion touches on the implications of priority pricing tiers and significant monthly cost spikes. Critically, Ed challenges the sustainable growth narrative of AI companies, arguing against the viability of advertising and improved tech as solutions. He encourages a public discourse on the excessive funding in the AI sector and its real value versus costs.
77 snips
Oct 17, 2025 • 8min
Monologue: ChatGPT's Growth Is Collapsing In Europe
Ed Zitron dives into alarming data showing ChatGPT's subscription growth has stalled in Europe. He explores why European users are hesitant to pay, distancing the issue from GDPR concerns. With advertising seen as an unlikely savior for OpenAI, he questions their partner choices in data center infrastructure. The conversation raises intriguing thoughts on whether the AI bubble is losing air amidst these challenges, hinting at broader implications for the tech landscape.
36 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 39min
The Interview: Steve Burke of GamersNexus
Steve Burke, founder of GamersNexus, dives deep into the world of PC hardware with Ed. They discuss the evolution of GamersNexus from game reviews to scientific hardware testing that captivates 2.5 million viewers. Steve reveals challenges like technical debt and the importance of community collaboration. He shares insights on the dynamics between Nvidia and Intel, the impact of AI on hardware testing, and the future of Linux gaming. Plus, hear about their unique testing methods and how they maintain integrity by refusing paid testing.
23 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 29min
The World of AI Regulation with Brian Merchant
Brian Merchant, a writer and author of the insightful newsletter and book "Blood in the Machine," dives into the tangled world of AI regulation. He discusses the recent troubles with California’s AI safety bill, highlighting industry pushbacks and the lackluster reworking of regulations. Brian advocates for legislation that addresses real issues like environmental impact and workplace surveillance. He also tackles the challenge of child safety in chatbot interactions and reveals the influence of lobbying on shaping AI policies. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation about the future of technology regulation!
41 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 51min
Radio Better Offline: Victoria Song and David Roth
Victoria Song, a staff writer at The Verge, dives into the quirks of the AI companion device Blorbo, showcasing its snarky responses and tech flaws. David Roth, a writer at Defector, joins her to discuss the societal implications of such devices and why they can’t replace real friendships. They explore the balance between loneliness and genuine connection, questioning whether AI companionship can truly enrich our lives. The episode also features hands-on impressions of Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, revealing both their innovative features and practical limitations.
139 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 29min
The Case Against Generative AI (Part 4)
In this discussion, Ed Zitron unpacks the unsustainable financial projections of generative AI, highlighting a potential capital shortfall of $1 trillion in four years. He critiques OpenAI's lofty revenue claims, comparing them to established giants and calling for skepticism around AI investments. Zitron also explores the unlikely involvement of government bailouts and the media's complicity in perpetuating inflated narratives, all while questioning the actual demand for generative AI technology.
