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Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Casting about for the point
One of the journalers I follow recently asked a fundamental question about podcasting that has been puzzling me as well:
"Am I missing something?"
Back when I was commuting from Connecticut to Manhattan every day, I became something of an 'Imus in the Morning' devotee. I had never been a talk radio fan, and I didn't consciously go looking for a radio program to follow. It just sort of happened. It happened partly because my politics were in a state of flux, and partly because, well, I had some time to kill.
Imus' politics and mine weren't a perfect match, but he always had a nice mix of political/literary guests and his humor was irreverent enough to make me laugh without making me squirm. So instead of watching people pick their noses and apply make-up on the Merritt Parkway, I listened to Imus.
But since Imus isn't available via the Internet (for me to record and play during my current commute), my drive time is either passed in conversation with my passengers or shuffling through the hundreds of albums on my ipod.
For the most part, I have replaced the daily current events fix I used to get from Imus with my 30 - 40 minutes of surfing through my favorite blogs/journals.
When the podcast craze first began, I downloaded the latest 'casts that were posted by people on my reading list and listen to them via my iPod. But I did so mostly because of the novelty and/or because I wanted to hear how they sounded (as opposed to the voices I had given them in my head).
But now that the novelty of podcasting has worn off (at least for me) and I've satisfied my curiosity as to how these people sound, I'm finding that I really don't have the 15, 20 or even sometimes 30 minutes (for each podcast!) to sit and listen to what, at best, sounds like good college talk radio.
I read blogs/journals because the writers have earned my interest / respect with their written ideas. They put those thoughts/ideas out there for me on a semi-regular basis and I drop by and thoroughly enjoy the minute or two I spend with each of their well-considered posts. Heck, if someone is long-winded like me, I might even stick around a bit longer!
But I spend little enough time with my wife and kids as it is... and I can't see myself trying to figure out where I can steal 15 minutes here and 20 minutes there in order to listen to the podcasts... no matter how good they are!
This isn't to say that people should give up podcasting. By all means, if someone enjoys doing it and it improves the quality of their lives (the way writing immeasurably improves mine), they should definitely continue doing it!
But I can't help wondering about the tremendous expenditure of time it takes to produce, record and 'mix' these podcasts... as well as the corresponding investment in time one has to make in order to actually listen to them.
Or maybe I'm just full of sh*t and totally missing the point. It certainly wouldn't be the first time!
Posted by David Bogner on November 8, 2005 | Permalink
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Comments
David - you nailed it. However, as trends may go -- this fad may snowball due to inertia and technologists telling us what an important fad it really is.
Posted by: Jameel Rashid | Nov 8, 2005 1:47:18 PM
I think the point (or why it is called podcasting)is that you download it to your ipod and listen to it later, such as in your car or instead of some music or something. Not in front of your computer. Otherwise it would just be a simple MP3, but maybe that's a "marketing gimic."
Posted by: amechad | Nov 8, 2005 1:56:11 PM
Jameel... I can see how the gadget-driven crowd could totally 'grok' podcasting... at least as far as producing podcasts. But you still need regular listeners... and I don't know if this aspect of the trend is self-sustaining.
amechad... Yeah, I understand the concept of podcasting... I just don't know that many people that have that much time to listen to podcasts during a typical day. I see your point about listening to it in my car, but I am a relative rarity being a commuter in a market without good talk radio. I just don't see the typical podcast being able to compete with Stern or Imus (or any of a hundred other great drive time shows) in the US or Europe.
Posted by: David | Nov 8, 2005 2:11:21 PM
David;
Actualy - I could grok downloading a Howard Stern show everyday to my ipod :-)
Posted by: Jameel Rashid | Nov 8, 2005 2:14:13 PM
I suspect that there's a couple of strengths to Podcasting:
- Niche shows, focusing on certain genres of music for instance. If you're in a very major market you might have access to a folk, jazz, chassidish, reggae, whatever, show. But outside of NYC, LA, it's not likely.
- Timeshifting. I get to listen to a lot of public radio shows (both WNYC and KCRW are podcasting extensively) when I want to. Obviously with the time zone difference it's particularly helpful to me here in Israel, but I'd also find it cool even in the US.
Posted by: Andy Levy-Stevenson | Nov 8, 2005 3:48:59 PM
David -
I agree 100%.
For a smart mockery of the whole phenomenon (back when it was known simply as "audioblogging"), check out http://www.idlewords.com/2004/08/an_audioblogging_manifesto.htm.
Yes, it's an audio blog post; that only helps him prove his point.
Posted by: Reuven | Nov 8, 2005 4:10:13 PM
Podcasting is a tough gig.
Right off of the bat you have to deal with the voice because if the voice is not pleasant to listen to there is an issue.
The voice operates in conjunction with the almighty challenge of content and delivery. If you have good content but a lousy delivery you can kill your podcast.
OTOH, I don't know if you have to have an audience for that any more than you have to have readers for your blog. It really depends on the purpose.
Some people have tremendous trouble writing a coherent post and find it much easier to construct something of the verbal nature.
Posted by: Jack | Nov 8, 2005 4:11:18 PM
Dave, I agree I'm not sure where one finds the time for these podcasts. You know however that podcasts will be around a looooong time now that sameach music has decided it is the media of choice in getting the word out on the latest Jewish music.
I wonder where this technology is headed....
Posted by: Jewish Blogmeister | Nov 8, 2005 4:18:33 PM
I actually like podcasts.
A lot of my job requires me to have my behind in my chair and and my hands on the keyboard but it only requires maybe 5-10% of my brain. That's when I like to listen to podcasts! I don't look bad at work (the way I do when I have blogs up on the screen) and my mind is still occupied with something (hopefully) interesting.
Posted by: Shifra | Nov 8, 2005 4:37:37 PM
Not as concerned about podcasting as I am about those voices in your head. Perhaps Dr. Bean can hook you up with a little something to take care of that.
Posted by: Alan T | Nov 8, 2005 4:55:32 PM
Jameel... Remember what I wrote about making me squirm? I was talking about Howard. :-)
Andy Levy-Stevenson... I can see where music formats - especially niche genres such as those you mentioned - would do well. But my experience with podcasts to date have been entirely the talk radio type.
Reuven... I'll have to give it a listen when I get home. Thanks for the link.
Jack... I'll take your word for it, but I can't imagine anyone having an easier time of organizing their thoughts while speaking than while writing. BTW, short audio posts such as those you occasionally throw in are kinda fun for a change of pace... but I still like your written offerings much better.
Jewish Blogmiester... You seem to have answered your own question. If the shiny shoe music business is embracing podcasting you can bet the fad is over. :-)
Shifra... That makes a lot of sense, but I find that when I'm typing and listening, I tend to start typing what I'm hearing. Has that ever happened to you?
Alan T... If you read the linked post you'd understand. But since you asked, we have a long-standing arrangement whereby Doctor Bean drops of a pitcher of 'tang' on the doorstep of any commenters (including me) who seem to need a little chemical therapy.
Posted by: David | Nov 8, 2005 5:14:46 PM
Read the linked post. Still concerned. Drink your Tang :) I would prescribe something myself, but you don't want to have the things I treat!
Posted by: Alan T | Nov 8, 2005 5:42:27 PM
Alan T.. Ah yes, if memory serves you specialize in the kind of super koodies that no amount of tang (or other medicine) can cure. Yikes.
Posted by: David | Nov 8, 2005 6:48:09 PM
I can only speak for myself here.
I love listening to podcasts because..I just do. I travel a total of approx. 2 hours a day. I certainly have the time to listen to them. Sometimes I listen to the "radio show" type podcasts, because it is kind of like having a passenger in the seat next to me (I don't have IDF passengers :)). The only difference is that we are not having a conversaton - I am just listening. And I enjoy it. Other times I listen to Torah-related podcasts, and other times I listen to plain music. Depends on my mood.
As for producing a podcast, it certainly takes some time(for me, the whole process usually takes about 3 hours for a 30 min podcast). I usually do it on a Thursday evening, after my wife has gone to bed. What can I say? If you enjoy doing something - and I certainly do enjoy podcasting - then you are willing to make the time investment, as long as it does not adversely affect your family life (In my case, my wife enjoys my "hobby", and even contributes on occasion).
I am sure it is similar with your blogging. Your posts are always well thought out, thought-provoking, and well-written. I am sure you spend quite a bit of time on them, judging by their quality. But it's worth it, no?
For me, I podcast not just for the enjoyment. I rarely have patience to post long-winded, in depth posts on my blog. Podcasting allows me to discuss many of these issues at length. Furthermore, I find that podcasting is an effective medium for getting the message across. My message is a pro-Israel one, and, judging by the number of listeners I have and the feedback I have been receiving, I am having a positive effect (I am sure this is even more so for the other anglo-Israeli podcasters). This is very encouraging, considering I do not use a script, nor do I concentrate on sounding "polished."
In short, I see podcasting as an extension of my blogging. These are all tools at my disposal for spreading the word about Israel, Jews,..and William Shatner.
(you see, this comment ended up very long-winded. I so would have preferred to discuss this on my podcast. Hmm..maybe I will...)
Posted by: Aussie Dave | Nov 8, 2005 8:19:57 PM
Another blogger/podcaster chiming in here...
Why do I podcast? Well, I did it in the first place because Chuck wanted to. Why do I continue to podcast? Because it's different from my blog. Why do I like podcasts? They're different from blogs.
I'm a big fan of audio, as an avid book on tape listener. It does not detract from my enjoyment of physically reading a book. It's just another way for me to enjoy books. Podcasts are the same thing for me. A way to enjoy the blog experience, but in a different way.
As for the time it takes to "produce" a podcast...well...Chuck is our resident engineer but it doesn't really take that long...no longer than an extensive entry would take to write, edit, spell check, rewrite, and otherwise fuss over.
I do my podcast listening while doing other things, as does Chuck. In fact, one of our devoted listeners said she discovered podcasting as an accompaniment to her daily 3 hour dog walks.
I'm just saying...
Posted by: beth | Nov 9, 2005 12:25:00 AM
Aussie Dave & Beth... As two of the three bloggers/journalers I follow regularly that have branched out into podcasting (the third being Harry of 'The View From Here'), I want to stress that I am not trying to badmouth either the concept or the people who have embraced this new trend. I just don't really get it. Dave, you see your podcast as an extension of you blog (and a more effective way to carry out advocacy) and have the numbers to back up your feelings... so I can't argue with that. Beth, you like podcasting (from both the talker and listener standpoint) because it is a completely different medium... and that too is perfectly valid. I hadn't taken into account the kind of people who enjoy books on tape and other such listening-based media. If someone has the kind of time to indulge in those, then podcasting would be an obvious parallel move in terms of time-usage. After reading everyone's thoughtful comments I've realized that, like reading/writing blogs, podcasting is something that depends heavily on a persons habits/routines. People who don't spend much time in front of their computers find the whole concept of writing and reading blogs to be odd. I guess since I don't devote much time to listening to books on tape or any computer-based listening programs it struck me as odd. Like everything else, only time will tell if podcasting has staying power... or if it is simply a passing fad.
Posted by: David | Nov 9, 2005 11:10:12 AM
