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

PublishesDailyEpisodes181Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Technology

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Artwork for Better Offline

Latest Episodes

Welcome to Radio Better Offline, a tech talk radio show recorded out of iHeartRadio's studio in New York City. Ed is joined in-studio by CNN Tech Editor Lisa Eadicicco to talk about the state of consumer electronics, Samsung’s Vision Pro competitor, ... more

YouTube

In this episode, Ed Zitron is joined by Nathan Grayson of worker-owned games site Aftermath to talk about building an independent media outlet and the state of the game industry writ large.

Nathan Grayson:

aftermath.site/author/nathan-gray... more

YouTube

In this week's Better Offline monologue, Ed Zitron breaks down how economically irrelevant AI is, and how no bailout is coming to save the Large Language Model era.

Want to support me? Get $10 off a year’s subscription to my premium newsletter: htt... more

YouTube

In this episode, Ed Zitron is joined by Steve Burke of GamersNexus to talk about Valve’s new console-like Steam Machine and Vision Pro-like Steam Frame, and what this means for the future of gaming.

GamersNexus:

Valve Steam Machine, Desktop Steam... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

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
Gare Davis
Editor and commentator on technology and media
Cool Zone Media
Episode: Radio Better Offline: Gare Davis, Victoria Song, Allison Morrow
Karen Hao
Author of the upcoming book, Empire of AI, which discusses the implications of AI and its commercialization.
Episode: Empires of AI With Karen Hao
Steve Burke
Host of GamersNexus
GamersNexus
Episode: Tariffs and The End Of Affordable Computing w/ Steve Burke
Paris Martineau
Writer at The Information
The Information
Episode: Radio Better Offline: Allison Morrow, Paris Martineau & Ed Ongweso Jr.

Host

Ed Zitron
Ed Zitron is a technology industry veteran known for his analytical insights and forthright critiques of the sector. He frequently challenges prevailing narratives in technology, making complex topics engaging and accessible through lively discussion and an unapologetic style.

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 States16 days 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
    Austriaa month 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 Statesa month 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 States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback indicates a desire for more varied content rather than repetitive themes.
There is notable concern about the frequency of advertisements disrupting the listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth critiques of technology and its societal implications.
Many find the host's style engaging and insightful, although some express fatigue over overly critical rants.

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.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Better Offline

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

Focusing on the intersection of technology and society, episodes critically assess how the tech industry manipulates public perception and drives unsustainable growth. Notable discussions cover topics like the hype surrounding artificial intelligence, the environmental and ethical implications of tech advancements, and the financial practices of major tech companies.

The show features a mix of narrative storytelling, interviews, and panel discussions, allowing listeners to gain insight into the industry's operations from multiple perspectives. With a blend of skepticism and critical analysis, it strives to demystify complex issues, appealing to tech-savvy individuals as well as those concerned about societal impacts, making it a compelling ... more

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How many listeners does Better Offline get?

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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. Tech Won't Save Us
3. Weird Little Guys
4. Behind the Bastards
5. Kill The Computer

How many episodes of Better Offline are there?

Better Offline launched 2 years ago and published 181 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?

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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. Charlie Meyer
2. Ashwin Rodriguez
3. Brian Merchant
4. Colton Voege
5. Edward Ongweso Jr
6. Gare Davis
7. Karen Hao
8. Steve Burke

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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