What I don't get about Podcasting
Podcasting is supposed to be the next big thing, and I don't really get it - although, using full disclosure here, I'm listening to a James Lileks podcast as I type this. The thing is, Lileks is funny - I enjoy his writing, and I like listening to his occasional diner bits.
Having said that, here's what I don't get about podcasts - they're like radio personality blather, but without the "radio voice". I've tried listening to a few podcasts - some by Winer, some by Curry, a few others. Maybe this is a personal taste thing, but I get the same urge when I hear those casts that I get when the DJ's on the local mix station start blathering - reach for the dial now!
The problem is, it takes a very long time to get someone's point when they insist on making it verbally. Something that takes 15-20 minutes verbally would take me fewer than 5 minutes to wade through in print. Which gets to the heart of the issue, for me: if your podcast could go to paper with no loss of information, you are wasting your time. This is what separates most podcasts from the sort of thing Lileks is doing - he's mixing in pop culture references in musical form, and I find that interesting. I'm sure that there are people who find Lileks dull - like any art, this is a matter of taste.
Back to the main point though - with a Lileks cast, it couldn't be delivered in print - not without a huge loss of information. Take your typical podcast though - it's 15-20 minutes of thinking out loud - a verbal rough draft, if you will. Thanks, but no thanks.
Comments
IT Conversations
[John Dougan] May 26, 2005 14:58:16.301
I like podcasts because they let me use time that would otherwise be wasted: commuting, washing the dishes, driving, etc. Times when I can't read. I usually am listening to shows like those provided by IT Conversations, TechNetCast (sadly not producing new shows), or The Space Show which are lectures, talks and interviews.
ITConversations rocks
[George Paci] May 26, 2005 15:09:47.473
I agree with John: even though my 15-minute commute is nothing to complain about, it's nice being able to turn off NPR and listen to what NPR would be if techies ruled the world. ITConversations has streaming and downloadable talks from Steve Wozniak, Kent Beck, Gordon Moore, and Clayton Christensen (recorded at conferences, so it's a polished presentation, not just thinking aloud), along with a bunch of their own interview shows.
Actually, we might be making too much of the medium, and not looking at obvious format differences: Jim hates the podcasts that are like rambling blog entries; John and I like the podcasts that are like papers (conference talks) or published interviews (the, uh, interviews).
Anyone have a useful definition of "podcasting" to work with? Or does it just mean, "non-song audio donwloads"?
There is an anomaly in my situation
[ James Robertson] May 26, 2005 16:06:42.168
Comment by James Robertson
I don't commute, so I will admit that I have far less dead time to fill.
[StillReadingAfterAllTheseYears] May 26, 2005 16:15:21.565
Check out maciej's audioblogging manifesto
The thing about ITConversations: they are either interviews are prepared speeches, not some "Gee Whiz, I just thought of something cool--Yay me" daily drivel.
David Pennell
[ anonymous] May 27, 2005 8:02:56.643
Comment by anonymous
My introduction to podcasts was via Doc Searls recommendation of "The Roadhouse Podcast". From there, I found Austin Riffs. I enjoy the music on both far more than anything on the radio. They are a nice way to wind down during the 1+hour drive home.