
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

30 snips
Jan 22, 2025 • 36min
Facebook Was Already Zucked
Join the intriguing conversation about Meta's alarming shift toward prioritizing right-wing content on its platforms. The discussion highlights the company's questionable product choices and the detrimental impact of its algorithms on user experience. Learn about the decline in fact-checking initiatives and how economic trends influence social media dynamics. The analysis dives into user safety concerns, exposing the thin line between profit and responsibility in today's digital landscape.

18 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 1h 25min
Radio Better Offline: Paris Martineau, Jeff Jarvis
Paris Martineau, an investigative tech journalist at The Information, and Jeff Jarvis, a renowned media critic and professor, dive into the implications of dating apps like Sniffies, highlighting user safety and the risks to teens. They critique the information-sharing responsibilities of big tech and discuss the future of media in a digital age dominated by AI and subscription models. Their conversation paints a vivid picture of the evolving landscape, raising critical questions about ethics and accountability in the tech industry.

12 snips
Jan 12, 2025 • 1h 4min
Better Offline CES 2025: Day 6 - Epilogue
Ed Ongweso Jr., a tech industry expert and contributor to The Tech Bubble Newsletter, shares insights from CES 2025's vibrant floor. He delves into the emotional impact of innovations and the essence of health and wellness in tech. Conversations range from the challenges of navigating luxury environments to the importance of genuine connections among attendees. Humor and reflection pepper discussions on media authenticity, urging a human-centered approach in tech reporting. Plus, plans for future growth in podcasting are highlighted, fostering community engagement.

14 snips
Jan 11, 2025 • 1h 57min
Better Offline CES 2025: Day 5 - Pt. 2
Join Robert Evans, Gare Davis, Kyle Chouinard, and Ed Ongweso Jr. as they dive into the fascinating world of CES 2025. They discuss the clash between technology and labor rights, spotlighting the culinary union's battle against job displacement. The crew also shares insights on the whimsical inventions at CES, like a bartender robot, while contemplating human connection amidst automation. With humor, they navigate the chaotic landscape of health diagnostics, deepfakes, and the broader implications of AI on creativity and community.

18 snips
Jan 10, 2025 • 1h 41min
Better Offline CES 2025: Day 5 - Pt. 1
Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor at Engadget, shares her insights into cutting-edge consumer technology. Ed Ongweso Jr. adds a cultural perspective on the evolving sex tech industry, emphasizing the need for open discussions around sexual wellness. David Roth highlights the absurdities of CES innovations, including quirky products that challenge practicality. Phil Broughton, a health physicist, provides expertise on laser safety, discussing regulations that could impact new tech. Together, they explore the intersection of technology, culture, and health, creating a lively dialogue.

17 snips
Jan 10, 2025 • 1h 34min
Better Offline CES 2025: Day 4 - Pt. 2
This discussion features Sean O’Kane, a Senior Transportation Reporter at TechCrunch, alongside Karissa Bell from Engadget, Rob Pegoraro, a seasoned tech journalist, and David Roth from Defector. They explore the chaotic charm of CES 2025, tackling mobility innovations, electric boats, and oddly cute furry robots. Conversations touch on the challenges faced by electric vehicle startups and the absurdity of robot designs. With humor and sharp critiques, they unveil the intersection of technology, marketing, and genuine consumer needs.

15 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 36min
Better Offline CES 2025: Day 4 - Pt. 1
Victoria Song, a senior reviewer at The Verge, and Devindra Hardawar from Engadget, join David Roth of Defector, Ed Ongweso Jr., and health physicist Phillip Broughton to discuss CES 2025 highlights. They delve into the male-centric coverage of the event and explore the evolving landscape of wearable tech, including luxury smart rings. The group critiques NVIDIA's AI focus over traditional gaming, hints at innovative beauty tech from L'Oreal, and humorously reflects on the absurdities of new tech products, including personal nuclear power solutions.

16 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 35min
Better Offline CES 2025: Day 3 - Pt. 2
David Roth, a writer for Defector, shares his lively experiences at CES, marking his first visit to this tech extravaganza. Ed Niedermeyer, an automotive journalist, critiques the evolving landscape of auto shows, discussing how technology is reshaping car design and consumer expectations. Jared Newman explores non-invasive health monitoring innovations and privacy concerns. The trio humorously navigates the chaotic environment, pondering the absurdity of extravagant tech gadgets and the growing parallels between tech enthusiasm and sports fandom.

14 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 34min
Better Offline CES 2025: Day 3 - Pt. 1
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.

12 snips
Jan 8, 2025 • 1h 39min
Better Offline CES 2025: Day 2
Join Ed Ongweso Jr., a tech-savvy journalist, Gabriel Mosher, a thoughtful priest, and Robert Evans and Gare Davis, co-hosts of 'It Could Happen Here,' as they unravel the absurdities at CES 2025. They dive into the strange world of health monitoring and the commercialization of wellness tech, humorously critique bizarre products, and discuss the implications of GermPass technology. The guest speakers challenge how evolving tech intersects with ethics and societal norms, offering both insights and laughs along the way.
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