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
5 snips
Mar 13, 2025 • 7min
Monologue: How Does This End?
In a thought-provoking monologue, Ed Zitron dismantles the inflated AI bubble perpetuated by the media. He highlights OpenAI’s troubling financial ties and diminishing support from partners like Microsoft. The discussion scrutinizes the industry's obsession with data centers and larger models, questioning the motives behind these choices. Zitron also examines the gap between lofty AI promises and the reality, touching on potential job losses and the impact on tech valuations.
31 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 25min
Microsoft Cuts The Power To AI
The discussion kicks off by exploring AI's impact on various industries and the pressing need for businesses to embrace it. Microsoft's recent withdrawal from extensive data center investments raises eyebrows regarding its confidence in generative AI's future. Tensions simmer between OpenAI and Microsoft, as reliance on each other becomes a contentious topic. The financial complexities revealing concerns for sustainability in the AI realm add more twists to the plot, leaving listeners contemplating the future of technology.
31 snips
Mar 7, 2025 • 9min
Monologue: OpenAI Is Getting Desperate
This week, the monologue dives into OpenAI's GPT-4.5, revealing skepticism over its advancements and hinting at financial instability reflected in a new pricing scheme. After that, frustrations with major tech companies like OpenAI are explored, emphasizing their struggles with communication and accountability. The discussion also highlights the potential for video game technology to spark innovation across various industries, especially with an upcoming conference on the horizon.
44 snips
Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 14min
How Growth Is Killing Video Games
In this engaging conversation, Gita Jackson, a games journalist and co-owner of Aftermath, teams up with fellow journalist Nathan Grayson, author of 'Stream Big.' They discuss how the relentless drive for growth is harming the gaming industry and leading to layoffs. The duo delves into how fandom culture can breed extremism and share how Aftermath approaches journalism differently. Despite industry challenges, they celebrate the creativity and brilliance of new games being developed, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and artistic integrity.
33 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 43min
Generative AI Is Not A Real Industry
Explore the shadowy depths of the generative AI industry, where actual user engagement is surprisingly low. Discussions reveal the alarming viability crisis faced by companies like Anthropic and Perplexity, raising doubts about their long-term prospects. The hype around AI is dissected, exposing the disconnect between corporate ambitions and real user needs. Additionally, the podcast highlights the risks of identity theft during tax season, emphasizing the importance of data protection amid these technological challenges.
20 snips
Feb 27, 2025 • 11min
Monologue: What Bursts A Bubble?
Explore the transformative impact of AI and cloud computing on tech giants like NVIDIA and Microsoft. Delve into the growing market anxiety surrounding NVIDIA's earnings report and the emotional responses of investors. Uncover key indicators signaling instability in the generative AI sector, as optimism shifts to skepticism. Lastly, consider how public perception and profitability could shape the future for NVIDIA in this dynamic landscape of artificial intelligence.
31 snips
Feb 26, 2025 • 36min
OpenAI Is Not A Real Company
Dive into a critical analysis of OpenAI's financial health and its questionable status as a real company. Explore the fragile economics of generative AI, with arguments suggesting a looming bubble in the tech sector. Discover how high operational costs clash with traditional software models, raising concerns about sustainability and market demand. The discussion also highlights the challenges users face with new AI products and the increasing risks of identity theft during tax season. Get ready for a thought-provoking journey!
19 snips
Feb 21, 2025 • 34min
What We're Fighting For
The discussion highlights how the tech industry prioritizes profit over users, leading to compromised product quality. It unpacks Nvidia's graphics card controversies and the negative impacts of modern apps and drones on privacy and safety. Exploitative practices in dating apps and mobile games are critiqued, particularly their effects on vulnerable populations. The conversation calls for accountability from tech giants and better media coverage, urging collective action to confront the pervasive shortcomings in the industry.
23 snips
Feb 20, 2025 • 11min
Monologue: OpenAI Was Never A Non-Profit
Delve into the early days of OpenAI and the intense rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman regarding its non-profit status. Unpack the intriguing lawsuit Musk filed, accusing OpenAI of fraud and monopolistic behavior. The discussion highlights the organization's controversial shift to a for-profit model, raising questions about its financial management and future risks. This look behind the curtain reveals the complexities of AI commercialization and the delicate balance of ethics and profit.
64 snips
Feb 19, 2025 • 28min
How The Tech Media Can Beat The Rot Economy
Dive into the critique of the tech industry's relentless pursuit of profits, sacrificing user experience in the process. Hear about the disconnect between tech media coverage and the everyday impact technology has on people's lives. The show highlights the absurdity of navigating finances while maintaining meaningful relationships. Discover the complexities of public perceptions of AI and the need for accountability in tech narratives. Join the conversation that challenges the status quo and advocates for a healthier tech ecosystem.
