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Artwork for Better Offline
Openai
Generative AI
Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia
Microsoft
Tech Industry
Google
Venture Capital
Anthropic
Consumer Electronics Show
Chatgpt
Data Centers
Meta
Softbank
Sam Altman
Robotics
Silicon Valley
Technology
Oracle
CES 2025

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 an... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes245Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Better Offline

Latest Episodes

Tech's hyper-growth era is ending, with online 100 million new people getting online between 2022 and 2023, and almost every major web platform seeing a decline in growth since 2021. In this episode, Ed Zitron walks you through how tech's decline is ... more

In this week's Better Offline monologue, Ed Zitron runs you through how the “does AI have ROI?” debate is coming at the worst possible time for two companies that can’t afford to slow down thanks to their $1.1 trillion in compute commitments.

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YouTube

In this week’s Better Offline, Ed Zitron is joined by economist Paul Kedrosky to talk about why nobody can find the ROI of AI, why there won’t be a Dot Com Bubble-style recovery for AI data centers, and how Google’s $80bn equity sale shows we’re at t... more

YouTube

In this week's Better Offline monologue, Ed Zitron runs you through how AI’s move to token-based billing has revealed that absolutely nobody has a way of measuring AI’s ROI - and how these massive costs might finally burst the bubble.

Companion news... more

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Recent Guests

Steve Burke
Returning GamersNexus contributor
GamersNexus
Episode: AI Versus The PC Industry With GamersNexus
Cory Doctorow
Writer, activist, and Clarion West instructor; founder/longtime advocate for digital rights
Electronic Frontier Foundation (past)
Episode: CZM Rewind: Cory Doctorow and Ed Zitron on Enshittification and the Rot Economy
Cal Newport
Commsci professor and commentator
Boston College (assumed based on common bio)
Episode: Cal Newport on Mythos and Anthropomorphization
Adam Becker
Author of More, Everything Forever; journalist and astrophysicist
Author/Journalist
Episode: More, Everything, Forever With Adam Becker
Ronan Farrow
Correspondent from The New Yorker who co-authored a major piece on Sam Altman
The New Yorker
Episode: Investigating Altman With Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz
Andrew Marantz
Writer for The New Yorker with background on tech and big tech reporting
The New Yorker
Episode: Investigating Altman With Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz
Paul Kedrosky
Economist
Independent economist
Episode: The Reality of AI Economics With Paul Kedrosky
Rebecca Ungarino
Barron's reporter on gambling and Wall Street
Barron's
Episode: Prediction Markets with Rebecca Ungarino and Nick Devor
Nick Devor
Barron's reporter on gambling industry and Wall Street
Barron's
Episode: Prediction Markets with Rebecca Ungarino and Nick Devor

Host

Ed Zitron
Host of Better Offline; tech industry veteran with a focus on accountability and scrutiny of AI, big tech, and venture-backed narratives.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • Good idea, terrible execution

    As a Cool Zone Media premium subscriber who sees much to be alarmed with regarding GenAI, I really wanted to like this podcast. The hosts do not have the knowledge, breadth, or intellect to discuss the subject without regularly spreading misinformation or absolute drivel. Utterly disappointing brainrot that does nothing to educate the layperson about a real existential threat to society.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    aezrax
    United Statesa month ago
  • Much Needed AI Skepticism

    Ed is a little crazy, but in a good way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    go_birds17
    United Statesa month ago
  • AI

    Obliterate AI!! I do NOT want an AI doctor, cop, farmer, teacher etc!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nigey&jack
    United Statesa month ago
  • Ed is VERY far ahead of the curve

    Keep up the good work Ed. A dose of sanity in an increasingly fanatical and nonsensical industry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    C0Difeye
    United States2 months ago
  • Yeah, the monologues are painful

    Better to ask experts to talk

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Refined Taster
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Critics note the host's aggressive style but acknowledge the provocative, thought-provoking analysis.
Some praise the guest diversity and depth of industry context.
Listeners appreciate the data-driven skepticism and willingness to challenge hype around AI.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cal Newport on Mythos and Anthropomorphization
Q: What is your take on the media's coverage of AI and Mythos in particular?
The media tends to push a narrative of inevitability and dramatic breakthroughs, but often relies on directionally true statements rather than carefully verified facts. This fuels fear and fatigue rather than a productive understanding of what AI can actually do today and what its limitations are.
The Reality of AI Economics With Paul Kedrosky
Q: So your recent work on AI, particularly the data center and economic side, what actual economic effects have you seen from AI?
There isn't a clean productivity lift yet; what you see is a shift in non-residential fixed investment toward data centers and GPUs, with Nvidia playing a central hub role. The broader economy shows mixed signals, and the real macro effect may come from investment patterns and debt structures rather than straightforward productivity gains.
Investigating Altman With Ronan Farrow and Andrew Marantz
Q: Why did you decide to cover Sam Altman and OpenAI in this way?
We wanted to place all relevant facts in one place, examine the trajectory from nonprofit beginnings to profit-oriented actions, and show how different stakeholders received and interpreted the same events.
Working In The Dot Com Bubble ft. Matt Rosoff
Q: What was the aftermath like post .com bubble?
The burst had significant effects, with many losing their jobs and retail traders being wiped out.
Working In The Dot Com Bubble ft. Matt Rosoff
Q: Was there any kind of AI dissent?
Yes, there were concerns about fraud and regulation, but not much outright skepticism that the internet would take off.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Better Offline

What is Better Offline about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, opinionated tech-focused program that consistently challenges the profitability and public narratives around AI, big tech, and venture-backed hype. Across episodes, the host and guests dissect the economic incentives, governance, and societal impact of Silicon Valley's growth-at-all-costs mindset, often pairing data-driven critique with provocative storytelling and bold takes. Noteworthy aspects include frequent fielding of insider anecdotes, policy-oriented angles on antitrust and regulation, and a confrontational, unapologetic delivery that appeals to listeners seeking a candid counterpoint to tech industry cheerleading. The show often features guests from technology policy, journalism, and industry critique, making it a potentia... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Better Offline?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Better Offline:

1. It Could Happen Here
2. Tech Won't Save Us
3. Kill The Computer
4. Weird Little Guys
5. Behind the Bastards

How many episodes of Better Offline are there?

Better Offline launched 2 years ago and published 245 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Better Offline?

Recent guests on Better Offline include:

1. Steve Burke
2. Cory Doctorow
3. Cal Newport
4. Adam Becker
5. Ronan Farrow
6. Andrew Marantz
7. Paul Kedrosky
8. Rebecca Ungarino

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