Ben McKenzie Criticizes Cryptocurrency Risks
▼ Summary
– Actor Ben McKenzie became a crypto skeptic during its peak and made a documentary investigating the industry.
– His documentary, “Everyone Is Lying To You For Money,” explores the chaos and problems he observed in the crypto world.
– The episode also features a segment on continuous glucose monitors, based on a year of testing and analysis of their trend.
– It includes a discussion answering a listener question about why modern gadgets lack bold, new design ideas.
– The article ends with housekeeping notes about a Webby Awards vote and an upcoming meta episode about The Verge.
At the height of the cryptocurrency frenzy, a notable skeptic stepped forward. Actor Ben McKenzie, widely recognized for roles in The O.C. and Gotham, chose a different path while others rushed to buy Bitcoin. He embarked on a personal investigation to understand the digital asset’s true nature, a journey he documented on film. His new documentary, Everyone Is Lying To You For Money, releases this week and chronicles his deep dive into the chaotic crypto ecosystem. The title alone hints at his final conclusions. On a recent podcast, McKenzie detailed the global observations that cemented his critical view, exploring the inherent risks of cryptocurrency and questioning whether the current surge in prediction markets faces similar issues. He also probed a fundamental question: is this movement truly about finance, or something else entirely?
Following this discussion, the podcast shifted to another modern obsession: health tracking. After over a year of personally testing continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), a reporter shared her experience watching these devices evolve from medical tools into a wellness trend amplified by influencers and even some government endorsements. The segment grappled with the psychological and practical effects of extreme self-quantification, offering insights into where this booming health monitoring trend is genuinely headed.
The episode concluded with an examination of technological stagnation in consumer gadgets. A listener question asked why today’s laptops, phones, and other devices often feel indistinguishable, lacking bold, innovative designs. This is a question the tech industry has wrestled with for years. The discussion provided some answers, though they acknowledged the explanations may not be fully satisfying to those yearning for a return to more radical hardware experimentation.
The show also included two announcements for its audience. Listeners were encouraged to vote for the podcast in the Best Technology Podcast category of the Webby Awards before the upcoming deadline. Additionally, the hosts announced a special upcoming episode that will pull back the curtain on the podcast and its parent publication, inviting listeners to submit their questions about the inner workings of the team.
(Source: The Verge)
