Ben McKenzie vs. crypto

In this episode of The Vergecast, host David Pierce dives into two deep dives into modern cultural obsessions: cryptocurrency and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). First, he speaks with actor and documentarian Ben McKenzie about his film 'Everyone Is Lying To You For Money,' which chronicles his descent into the crypto world and his growing conviction that crypto is not a revolutionary financial system but a scam fueled by greed, manipulation, and a cult-like culture. McKenzie argues that crypto fails as money because it relies on trust—just like all money—but falsely claims to be 'trustless.' He highlights the failure of Bitcoin in El Salvador, the dominance of corporate mining, and the reality that crypto is primarily a zero-sum gambling game or a tool for crime, not a solution to systemic financial flaws. Despite repeated scandals and collapses, crypto’s popularity persists due to hype, political endorsement (notably Trump), and the irrational persistence of market manias. The second half features V Song, The Verge’s senior reviewer, sharing her 18-month journey testing CGMs—devices originally for diabetics but now marketed to the general public as tools for 'metabolism optimization.' She recounts how the devices led her to obsessive data tracking, disordered eating behaviors, and emotional distress, despite her initial health improvements. She questions the medical validity of non-diabetic CGM use, the lack of consensus among experts, and the growing influence of political figures like RFK Jr. and potential Surgeon General Casey Means in promoting wearables as a national health agenda. Ultimately, she warns against letting data tools dictate life choices, urging a more human-centered approach to health tech. The episode closes with a reflection on how once-popular gadgets and software become standardized, making innovation harder—and how breakthroughs in technology, not just design, are needed to spark new gadget revolutions.