I do appreciate the podcast and ed’s research into the financial ouroborous that is the genAI industry, however I find him repeating his points a *lot* over all his episodes and articles. Several episodes exist to make the same point. The other issue is iheart. CZM is cool (it’s in the name) but hearing ads for AI services (including one that does investing based on an AI prompt) makes it feel hypocritical. I know we all need to make money but I feel like a patreon would be best here.

I enjoy this podcast but the ads are out of control. 3+ minutes long even on short monologue episodes. I blame iHeartPodcasts.

EZ says all the stuff everyone is “secretly” thinking in tech if they have half a brain or do math or communicate with other humans. Much appreciated EZ.

I enjoy Ed’s approach to scrutinizing the claims of the tech industry, especially AI. I’m glad there’s a rationale voice in those world to call out all the AI hypesters! PS I find it amusing that some episodes start with AI advertising. I do wish he were a bit more pragmatic though as there are a lot of folks who can probably benefit from his information (since he’s one of the only ones sharing this) but may be put off by some of his attacks against people instead of ideas (like attacking all managers as a single group, instead of focusing on the ideas that are driving the problems).

I have to use LLMs as part of my work, and understand the technology pretty well, as far as any skeptically minded generalist computer idiot can. Honestly, the tools are not as terrible as what is done to force them down our throats, or the lies told in service of promoting them. I respect Ed's perspective, and it's fun to listen to the occasional rant, but hearing the same message repeated in the extremely similar words from episode to episode gets tiresome. We need critical thinking, we need skepticism, we need someone speaking about the awful things these companies do in service of concentrating power and disenfranchising regular folks. I just wish Ed would change things up more. More guests, who get to give their perspectives with less interruption, with less repetition of how he's gonna wave the receipts around. The message is good enough without all that.

Ed sort of falls apart when he talks to people who don’t agree with him. So long as he’s on here or the Tech Report he’s fine but when he talks to an informed AI expert his ad hominem attacks and sarcastic comebacks (which he repeats day after day “Really Jensen?!!”) etc show him to be a light weight. Check out Karen Hao instead she’s actually done the work.

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.

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

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

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

Better to ask experts to talk

I’ve listened to only one pod so far, topic was gtc, nvidia, Jensen (who I actually know) and ai. Fun, thoughtful and knowledgeable discussion to listen in on! And great break from politics.

I really enjoy the Better Offline podcast. Since I have no direct relationship to the tech industry in work or otherwise, I rely on this podcast to keep me informed and up to date with what is going on. I trust Ed’s reporting and admire all the work he puts in to find out the truth about AI, especially on the financial side. Ed has great guests, posts regularly, his accent is fun, and, having a sailor’s mouth myself, I dig all the passionate swearing!

Disgusting bug man runs interference for technocratic and corporate entities at the cost of humanity of our culture. Truly unforgivable shilling disguised as passionate concern.

Cathartic AND informative

Truly love this show and love it even more when he gets angry or fired up. Makes me feel less alone in my anger and disgust.

You’re amazing. But 18 hours of ces? We get it, it sucks and they suck. If it’s that fun for you go for it, but come on man.

This man is the Jesus of his time. Yes, That Jesus. I would subscribe to it his pod for the CES podcasts alone. By far the best review of CES anyone could ask for. But his regular pod feed is excellent. Informative, funny, insightful, yet depressing, because that’s world we live in. He is just the only one with the balls to tell the truth. Things we need to hear and know. I cannot speak to his monologues, because they are typically less than 15 mins, so myself and all other working hogs don’t even bother listening due to the fact that we have real jobs which require concentration for longer than 15 mins. 6/5. Excellent podcast. “For the Hogs who know”

The recent CES episodes and the guests that were on them have been a highlight of this show. I’d listen to this 2 hour format every week.

While his language is a bit colorful, his use of logic and numbers is impressive, often use in conjunction with a wide array of associated players and industries. His opinion on AI shows he is on top of his game. Thanks.👍

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

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!

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 usually listen on headphones and can mostly tolerate getting blasted by the intro music being far louder than the vocal levels However, I was on a road trip and quite excited to share this new podcast I was into with my partner…unfortunately the audio levels were so back & forth (it was one of the panel episodes) that we turned it off bc we couldn’t hear half the guests over the road noise. Nothing quite like the feeling of a podcast you are excited to share flopping for a friend lol. The content is great, I just hope with time the levels can improve. I know how hard it is to record with people calling in or with different tech, but it can really kill the experience when their levels are wonky.

Lots of great information in this show, but I have a hard time taking it seriously due to the contradiction of the show’s messages vs the constant stream of ads, many of which are probably ai-generated (it feels like 50% of the total episode is ads). I hope the host/creator will consider going independent or finding a better production company. For now, I will be unsubscribing.

I want to love this podcast, the journalism is great and I really like Ed’s rants. However, the sheer amount of ads (often three or four in a row) interspersed throughout an episode is infuriating. I get that a guy needs to eat, but a better monetization model is desperately needed.

Before dismissing them as a legit threat to the tech industry, especially because of their deep connections to the ML field. I had to turn off this last episode because of the ignorance by the break. They are a dangerous cult incubator with some pretty wild thoughts, I.e the zizians. EY is more than some nerd grifter, and rationalism isn’t about “rational thought” at all.

I work in technology industry and i am benefiting from gen AI right now. But i also don’t buy into all the hype. if you are not listening to skeptics, you are in for a rude surprise.

I agree wholeheartedly with the points and content of this podcast but the John Oliver style ranting is distracting and stops it from being the salve I’m looking for in these mad times.

I deeply appreciate Ed’s analytical perspective and thoroughly enjoy the panels. There are a lot of interesting ideas here. Unfortunately, many episodes are delivered as scripted monologues (ie, rants), which Ed struggles to articulate. To me, these are basically unlistenable… and the pissy tone largely undermines the analysis. Love Ed, but really hoping the show will find a new editorial voice.

Great show but deserves better recording quality. Sound comes off abrasive, flat, rushed (feels sped up and badly paced) and unpleasant.

Just let this man enjoy his gizmos

I did not listen but eh feels like five stars ⭐️

But there’s gotta be more to talk about than the AI bubble and calling tech journalists stupid. Feels like Ed could use an editor and some extra structure.

Lovelovelove this show. Ed brings a very important perspective to the hype that is techbro culture today. His critique of the companies and the press that covers them is smart and needed. A welcome antidote to the puff and bluster around AI and other supposed saviors of the Internet age.

You don’t get to rant about corporate greed and have 4 ad breaks in a 30 minutes episodes.

I found this show informative about the tech industry which is I keep coming back. But whenever he talks about management it makes me sad because it reminds so much of my job. I work in a large hotel and the biggest complaint we get is about the state of the building ( HVAC doesn’t work, no hot water, extra). I know for a fact that the company makes a high profit. But they don’t put it back into the hotel. All the care is that make more money every year ie. growth. They don’t care about the guests and the certainly don’t care about the workers. It’s so sad to see the rot mindset and in every aspect of life now days. So I thinks Ed is really on to something and will keep coming back to listen to more. So should and maybe think about the things that frustrate you in your job because I bet the rot is the underlying cause there too.

Scoldenheimer…

I found this podcast after reading a long and informative expose the host did about AI. I’m a little disappointed in the angry ranty nature of it, which unfortunately always comes off as uncredible no matter who is ranting. I think this is made extra hard to listen to because the host is clearly reading much of the time, and thus, talking waaay too fast about things normal people need to be able to digest. The information is there, and it’s strong. Make sure it’s not missed.

Rants about the same thing every time. Gets old. Was hoping for a broader conversation about the internet

Ed is the only authority on LLM and ‘AI’ that’s digging into their existence to out them as the absolute frauds they are. I support him and his podcast 100% so my industry can finally escape this bubble. Let’s pop the bubble together with Ed!

Fave eps are when the Eds multiply.

I adore this show because it breaks down tech news so that I can truly understand what the eff tech heads are blabbering about. It does get a little repetitive, but I know AI is the tech obsession lately

love the show. love the trans solidarity. neat cats!

Overall the podcast is great and Ed is great. I will say it does get a LITTLE repetitive; I wonder if the show wouldn’t be even better if it were an every other week show with the occasional special episode for big events.

Finally someone who will accurately describe the current tech industry. Zitron is no fluffer of billionaires

Always a great listen and one I look forward to all week!

The journalism is good in so far as research and understanding but the delivery of explanatory information is often losing the stage to rage rants. There have been some episodes where the rant seems to become an ouroboros of the same complaints about tech. I agree with those complaints, but I think with some better editing it would be among my top podcasts.

Love the show! It’s ironic that the first thing I heard when I hit play on a recent episode was an ad for OCI (Oracle’s AI product).

The most recent episode berating chat GPT 4.5 was preceded by a lengthy ad from an AI company. Are these guys just trolling us?

With all the AI hype these days, Ed provides a fresh perspective. My only critique is to tone down the anger a bit bro.