Better Offline – "A Thanksgiving Monologue"

Host: Ed Zitron
Date: November 27, 2025
Podcast: Better Offline (Cool Zone Media, iHeartPodcasts)

Episode Overview

In this special Thanksgiving monologue, host Ed Zitron sets aside the usual hard-hitting industry exposés to reflect on his personal journey, thank his community of listeners, and share candid thoughts on the tech landscape—particularly the AI industry's current state. This episode departs from typical analysis, embracing vulnerability, gratitude, and a call to arms for societal awareness around tech hype and financial misdirection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thankfulness for the Audience and Community

Timestamp: 01:22–03:00

• Ed opens with heartfelt gratitude, emphasizing the importance of humanity amid technological change:
  • “Our humanity is what makes us different from the machines, and that's what makes this show special. And I'm endlessly grateful for the hundreds of thousands of human beings who listen to or read my work every month.” (02:12)
• He reflects on how the podcast has become personally meaningful, providing space to wrestle with complex feelings about technology, the industry, and his own identity.

2. The AI Bubble and Industry Paranoia

Timestamp: 03:01–04:40

• Ed asserts we are living in an “AI bubble”—an environment of financial hype and questionable sustainability:
  • “The conclusion of the AI bubble, I think, is going to be a referendum on the status quo, a stress test of the tech industry's largest firms and collective intellect. And honestly, imagination.” (03:11)
• He feels validated by listeners who also see through industry PR, citing conversations from emails and online forums.
• Critiques how media and market consensus avoid confronting realities about leading companies like OpenAI:
  • “Everyone's still posting these headlines both about being in an AI bubble and also in the midst of the greatest technological revolution since...whatever half-arsed comparison people are even making these days, they're not even really fucking bothering, are they?” (04:01)

3. Calling Out OpenAI and Industry Hype

Timestamp: 04:41–05:45

• Ed describes OpenAI’s business strategy as reckless, comparing it to a dangerous tightrope act:
  • “Everybody is still trying to avoid looking at OpenAI, which is the financial equivalent of a man walking a tightrope across lava while begging a crowd of people to throw rocks at him.” (04:31)
• Openly questions OpenAI’s financials, referencing previous reporting: “OpenAI plans to burn escalating multiple billion dollar [amounts] for revenues that appear…a little questionable.” (05:08)
• Candid message to OpenAI’s CEO: “Sammy, you're still welcome to come on the show. By the way, your PR person, stop fucking responding to me. Very rude, very rude.” (04:51)

4. Validation From, and Responsibility To, Listeners

Timestamp: 05:46–07:00

• Ed credits listeners for their independent critical thinking and their role in demystifying tech industry narratives:
  • “So many of you are showing up on Bluesky and Reddit and email and you're picking up stuff very, very fast. There are members of the media who don't get things that some randos emailing me get.” (06:15)
• He sees power in collective skepticism: “What actually changes the world is regular people talking about stuff en masse. If there is just a gluttony of people who can look at this bullshit and see it for what it is, I think that changes the world.” (06:40)
• Ed emphasizes sharing information: “Tell everybody everything you know. Don't worry about giving me credit. I don't give a shit...What I give a shit about is you knowing more and making better decisions as a result.” (07:03)

5. Personal Reflections and Gratitude

Timestamp: 07:01–09:00

• Ed discusses his own growth, the support of friends, fans, and family:
  • “My world feels a lot warmer and larger than it did a year ago and I'm just very grateful for what I have.” (08:30)
• He previews future episodes featuring guests like Steve Burke (Gamers Nexus) and Nathan Grayson (Aftermath), promising lighter year-end content.
• Sincere expressions of thanks toward his production team, supporters, and partner are interwoven throughout this section.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you feel insane at the moment, it's because all of this is insane.” (Ed Zitron, 05:00)
• “It's probably going to be the most egregious I told you so in history, but I don't have to do that I told you so alone. I'm not doing it alone. You're coming with me.” (Ed Zitron, 05:30)
• “An early piece of feedback I got was never to tell you how to feel, and I won't. But I'll tell you what I know and why I feel that way. And I feel very lucky to have so many of you listening.” (Ed Zitron, 07:27)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:22 | Opening thanks and reflection on the podcast's meaning | | 03:11 | Thoughts on the AI bubble and coming industry reckoning | | 04:31 | OpenAI critique and industry skepticism | | 06:15 | Celebrating the listeners’ critical thinking and community dialogue | | 07:03 | Call to action: share information, empower others | | 08:30 | Personal gratitude and preview of upcoming episodes |

Final Thoughts

Ed Zitron's Thanksgiving monologue is a blend of deep appreciation, sobering tech commentary, and a spirited push for audience agency. Instead of the usual investigative edge, Ed gives listeners the sense they are allies and partners in demystifying broken narratives in tech. The episode is a candid reminder of the humanity at the heart of Better Offline's mission.

Tone: Sincere, self-deprecating, grateful, lightly humorous, and, at moments, fiery in its critique.

Have a great Thanksgiving. We'll be back to regular programming next week.
(Ed Zitron, 08:56)