Rephonic
Artwork for Better Offline
Musk Foundation
Elon Musk
Openai
Google
Vision Pro
Apple
Bluetooth Keyboards
Venture Capital
Meta
Technology
Rot Economy
Starlink
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
UNICEF
Ad Astra School
Bastrop, Texas
Spacex
Flint, Michigan
Texas
User Experience

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes189Founded2 years ago
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Technology

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Artwork for Better Offline

Latest Episodes

In part four of this week’s four-part case against generative AI, Ed Zitron walks you through how there’s literally not enough money in the world to pay for OpenAI’s estimated $1 trillion four-year burn, and why the media tell the truth about AI to s... more

In part three of this week’s four-part case against generative AI, Ed Zitron walks you through how “AI replacing software engineers” is a myth spread by the media and investors - and how Microsoft only has 8 to 12 million active paying customers for ... more

In part two of this week’s four-part case against generative AI, Ed Zitron walks you through how NVIDIA funds and pumps money into unprofitable, debt-ridden “neoclouds” all to create vehicles to buy more GPUs - all to cover up the lack of demand for ... more

In part one of this week’s four-part case against generative AI, Ed Zitron walks you through how generative AI is sold through a complete misunderstanding of the concept of labor - and myth-building by companies like NVIDIA and OpenAI.

Original Air... more

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Recent Guests

Lisa Eadicicco
Tech Journalist at CNN, providing insights into consumer technology trends and gadgets.
CNN
Episode: The State of Consumer Tech with Lisa Eadicicco
Steve Burke
Content creator and co-founder of GamersNexus
GamersNexus
Episode: Is Valve Taking On Microsoft? with Steve Burke
Charlie Meyer
Esteemed blogger and CEO of Picode
Picode
Episode: Vibe Coding is BS w/ Charlie Meyer
Ashwin Rodriguez
Freelance writer, primarily on topics surrounding health and supplements
Episode: The Internet Is The World's Worst Pharmacy w/ Paris Martineau & Ashwin Rodrigues
Brian Merchant
Author and writer of the book and newsletter Blood in the Machine
Episode: The World of AI Regulation with Brian Merchant
Colton Voege
Programmer and writer known for his insights on AI's impact on software engineering.
Episode: AI Isn't Making Engineers 10x As Productive with Colton Voege
Edward Ongweso Jr
From the Tech Bubble Newsletter
Substack
Episode: Radio Better Offline: Edward Ongweso Jr. & Allison Morrow
Molly White
Critic and author of the Citation Needed Newsletter
Episode: Building A Newspaper Out of the Internet with Molly White
Gare Davis
Editor and commentator on technology and media
Cool Zone Media
Episode: Radio Better Offline: Gare Davis, Victoria Song, Allison Morrow

Host

Ed Zitron
Host of a show that explores technology's societal implications, often combining narrative storytelling with interviews and critical discussions.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 2.3k ratings
  • the only british accented person i willingly listen to

    when it comes to snake oil salesman tech, ed knows what’s what about the world

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    huge jagoff
    United Statesa month ago
  • Important

    This is the counterweight to all this AI euphoria we desperately need. Centers you to a clearer view on the topic. Outstanding podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fäbz
    Austria2 months ago
  • His fake hair is awful

    A head piece. Only for Ed. Beyond you balding Ed,

    All of his reporting, writing, and the podcast has become more and more infused with his ego. What he does needs an ego, but since mid-June ish.. every point he makes is always related back to how it’s somehow about him. Also everyone must always know he is always the angriest and he is the only person ever to work the hardest.

    I wish he’d let his work speak for itself, of course keep your personal touch as the emotion every episode is valid ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    OdeP2527
    United States2 months ago
  • The only place to get detailed criticism of the AI industry

    I am a big fan of the balance between the entertaining presentation of feelings about AI mixed with actual numbers on a variety of the big players that I don’t want to have to try and keep tabs on. And I know you will cover more than AI, but I believe that deserves the attention you have given it, and until something significantly changes I hope it stays the focus of this show. I would even consider starting another channel if necessary.

    Many thanks for all of your work Ed!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SomeDoodReviewed
    United States2 months ago
  • The content is great, the audio levels are tough

    I’m thrilled with this podcast. I asked for Pod recs from Bryan Merchant on his substack and this was one of a handful he recommended, and maybe the only one I will continue to listen to. I was looking for a less fawning alternative to Hard Fork, and this is definitely it. The rants are enjoyable, and the data is solid. I enjoy it. I’ve also subscribed to the written version to get into the real meaty bits of how AI is not all it’s hyped up to be.

    My one complaint is the audio levels. I usuall... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lexacorncow
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is often cited as a necessary counterpoint to the positive hype surrounding emerging technologies, providing a more realistic perspective on their implications.
There are mixed feelings about the host's presentation style, with some praising the engaging narratives while others find a tendency toward self-indulgence.
Overall, the content is appreciated for addressing complex tech issues in a way that resonates with listeners seeking depth and honesty.
Many listeners express frustration with the ad load but recognize the show's valuable content and discussions.
Listeners appreciate the insightful critiques of the tech industry, emphasizing the need for transparency and ethical behavior from major players.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cory Doctorow and Ed Zitron on Enshittification and the Rot Economy
Q: If you had to guess, what is the timeline we're looking at for the AI bubble to pop?
No later than Q2, 2026.
Cory Doctorow and Ed Zitron on Enshittification and the Rot Economy
Q: Is the bubble real?
Yes, there's a bubble forming, especially in AI and related technologies, and it's likely to pop soon.
AI Isn't Making Engineers 10x As Productive with Colton Voege
Q: Does the nature of coding make it hard to generate quality code?
Yes, because coding is complex and requires understanding of context, systems, and styles of the existing codebase, which AI lacks.
AI Isn't Making Engineers 10x As Productive with Colton Voege
Q: Why can't AI coding tools make you a 10x engineer?
AI is good at generating code, especially boilerplate, but coding encompasses much more problem-solving and system understanding that AI struggles with.
AI Isn't Making Engineers 10x As Productive with Colton Voege
Q: Can you explain what you do for a living?
I'm a software engineer focusing on web application development, building interactive applications that run in browsers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Better Offline

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

Focused on the tech industry's pervasive influence on society, the content evaluates how different players within this sector shape the future through a growth-oriented mindset. Episodes navigate through pressing themes such as AI's implications for society, ethical considerations in technology, and critical analyses of industry practices, including transparency issues. A mix of interviews, storytelling, and discussion formats aids in demystifying complex topics and scrutinizing the motivations of influential tech figures, while the host's engaging, often critical style lends a personal touch to overarching narratives.

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How many listeners does Better Offline get?

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What are the audience demographics for Better Offline?

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How many subscribers and views does Better Offline have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Better Offline has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Better Offline?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Better Offline:

1. It Could Happen Here
2. Weird Little Guys
3. Tech Won't Save Us
4. Behind the Bastards
5. Some More News

How many episodes of Better Offline are there?

Better Offline launched 2 years ago and published 189 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Better Offline?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Better Offline?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Better Offline from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Better Offline?

Recent guests on Better Offline include:

1. Lisa Eadicicco
2. Steve Burke
3. Charlie Meyer
4. Ashwin Rodriguez
5. Brian Merchant
6. Colton Voege
7. Edward Ongweso Jr
8. Molly White

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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