As I was taking stock of my life, as I do every week when the darkness comes… the black inky darkness that envelops my soul… I stare into that ebon darkness and contemplate my infinitesimal existence in this infinite universe. I am a mote on the eyelashes of a god, inaudible, intangible, and invisible.. My existence is unnecessary and fruitless in the eyes of a dispassionate and removed deity…
… ummm… anyway, I come to think about how podcasts have been a part of my life for many years now. So this week, I am answering 20 Questions about the topic of podcasts. Thanks this week go to Lsig, pfmDesigner, Nadolny, StPierre, Dr JHP, and Some Other Guy for the questions. Let’s get to it!!
1. What was the first podcast you listened to regularly? Is it still in your rotation?
I think the first one I listened to was Tech News Today on the TWiT network. I do not listen to it anymore.
2. Is there anything in common among the various podcasts you like? (Besides being podcasts?)
I listen to 3 categories of podcasts. Humor, tech, and history. That would be the three comment threads that weave together my podcast tapestry
3. If someone asks you for a podcast recommendation, what's your Go-To?
Tech News : Daily Tech News Show
Humor: the Dollop
History: Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History
4. Would you ever consider doing your own podcast?
I am playing around with how to transform this blog into a podcast. I gots some ideas, y’all. There is a Twenty Questions Tuesday podcast that is out there, but the last episode of that one is ep 52 from May of 2015.... there might be room for another
5. What are your top-three podcasts that are still active?
The Dollop, the Dana Gould Hour, Cordkillers…. These are the 3 that I tend to listen to first when they are in my feed.
6. What do you usually go for when looking for a new podcast? (Comedy, news, hobby, etc)
I look for recommendations on Twitter. Often a podcast that I listen to will recommend other podcasts, or the guests on a podcast that I like will have their own podcast, and I will just follow them like a lost puppy.
7. Without naming names, what is the unpardonable sin that will make you drop a podcast like it's hot?
I think one of the things that make me leave a podcast is when the podcast stops being interesting and becomes too repetitive. Interest for some podcasts will ebb over time. When I start feeling that listening to the podcast is more of a chore and, weirdly, and obligation, I tend to unsubscribe and delete from my podcast app.
8. Finish this sentence, "Too bad the technology wasn't around, because I would love to have heard a podcast from _____."
Archimedes… but I don’t speak ancient Greece, so it would not really be that good to listen to.
9. Podcasts? I am an old man, does this have anything to do with Podracing?
Nope, it sure does not.
10. So podcasts, it’s like people bantering on about something they consider themselves an expert in? yes?
Sometimes… sometimes it is just people having a conversation
11. Favorite podcasts by topic. That is if they are topical. If they aren't, then I'm confused on what a podcast is.
Patience. I will list all my podcasts that I listen to in Question 14.
12. How do you consume your podcasts? Other than Apple’s Podcast app on the iPhone I haven’t tried any of the other services, but I enjoy the feature being able to speed it up. I don’t know what it says about me as a person, I don’t think I’m impatient, but while I listen to anything except music I want it sped up at least 1.5x so I can go on to other things. Maybe that is impatience. I don’t know. Wish I could have typed this out faster.
I usedthe default Apple Podcast app for a while, but have moved to using Downcast as my podcast app. I have listened to some at higher speeds, but I find that causes me some anxiety, so I go back to normal speed.
13. What is the best/easiest source to use to sign up for and listen to podcasts?
The default podcaster apps are usually the easiest to use, but they sometimes do not have all the features that you might enjoy.
14. What is in your current podcast list?
Okay here they are in alpha order...
99% Invisible: a design podcast that looks at how design affects daily living
Backstory: an American history podcast that looks at how current events reflect history in more ways than we think.
The British History Podcast: A history of Great Britain that tries to stay away from the “Great Leader” tropes of history
Comedy Film Nerds: Comedians watch a ton of movies, so 2 comedians have started making their own movies and reviewing as well.
Cordkillers: A podcast that is about cancelling cable and how to stream content without cable
Current Geek: a "news-ish" show about current events in geek culture
Daily Tech News Show: pretty self explanatory title there
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History: A very visceral deep dive look into moments of history. One of the best
The Dana Gould Hour: Comedian, Dana Gould, has deep conversations about politics and entertainment
The Dollop: and American history podcast wherein 2 comedians talk a look at terrible US history stories and dissect them
The Dork Forest: A comedian talks to people about their specific spheres of interest
Dumb People Town: three comedians and a guest discuss quirky current event stories about things dumb people have done
FOFOP: Wil Anderson and a revolving cast of cohosts talk to each other
FSL Tonight: A silly podcast where fantasy and sci-fi properties are pitted against each other in a fictitious game and analyzed by sports radio broadcasters… no really
The History of English Podcast: a history of the language of English and how the language started and has evolved
How Did This Get Made: a team of comedians watch crappy movies (that made it to the theaters) and try to find out how the crappy movies were actually greenlit
The Infinite Monkey Cage: BBC Radio 4’s science podcast
The Jackie and Laurie Show: two middle aged female comedians talk about their craft
Lore: a look at folklore
My Favorite Murder: 2 comedians go into details about a murder or set of murders... it is funnier than it sounds
Mysterious Universe: a podcast where 2 believers of many supernatural topics talk about supernatural topics
The Nerdist: Chris Hardwick interviews people
Never Not Funny: Jimmy Pardo and friends have conversations
The Phileas Club: Patrick Beja has a conversation with people from around the globe on a topic that affects the world
Probably Science: Comedians talk about current science events
Radiolab: a radio show and podcast weaving stories and science into sound and music-rich documentaries
S-Town: a public radio show that focuses on a shit town in Bibb County Alabama
The Smartest Man in the World: Comedian Greg Proops rants
TOFOP: Wil Anderson and Charlie Clausen talk for a bit
TV Crimes: Wil Wheaton and Mikey Neumann make fun of bad episodes of TV
UX Podcast: Per Axbom and James Royal-Lawson talk about User Experience Design
We Have Concerns: Jeff Cannata and Anthony Carboni talk about science events
Weird Things: Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood chat about weird things and how much they love SpaceX
Welcome to Nightvale: a public radio show for a fictitious New Mexico town that is just plain weird
WILOSOPHY with Wil Anderson: Wil Anderson interviews someone on their philosophy of life
15. Will podcasts make me smarter and more beautiful?
Of course.
16. Which podcasts will get the NSA on my doorstep? (so I can avoid this uncomfortable issue)
I have not downloaded or subscribed to a podcast that has alerted the authorities (to my knowledge… hello, NSA. What Up, G-Men? Guys, if you are there, leave a comment and let me know what got me on the list... my bet is Mysterious Universe) so your guess is as good as mine.
17. How many podcasts do you subscribe to currently? And how many hours of content do those equate to for a week?
39, and it equates to about 40 hours a week
18. Why do you think that podcasts are becoming more popular?
I think they are gaining in popularity for the same reason that on demand television and streaming services are becoming more popular. People want to curate when and where they consume content. I am listening to the Dollop right now… even as I type this.
19. What do you think is the perfect length for a podcast?
It really depends on the intensity of the podcast. The Dana Gould Hour is delightful and it is at least 2 hours. Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History can be over 5 hours a shot, but We Have Concerns is 25 minutes and delightful. All of these are their own perfect length. That being said, I have found that occasionally podcast will go a bit long, so in that 30 minutes to an hour timeframe seems just about right
20. What the hell is a podcast?
A podcast is an audio or video piece of content that is accessible via download to a device wherein the user can consume the content where they want and when they want. Some are free and some require payment, but all are meant to be consumed however the user determines. For a better look at what podcasts are (primarily entertainment podcasts) you could purchase, download, and watch the documentary, Ear Buds: The Podcasting Documentary. It really gives a good understanding of the power of podcasts. It is not the most complete picture of the podcasting landscape, but it is a very deep look at it.
To recap;
Listening to Current Geek right now
Next up is CordKillers
I know this is a day late, but I am a dollar short, but things have been busy, yo
One of the 2 straps that hold the gas tank on my car came off last week
I was one corroded strap from hazardous fiery death balls of explodiness
We have people staying at our house this weekend
AAAANnnnnnd Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2 is coming out
What’s a guy to do?
I apologize for the tardiness of the post, but there are sooooo many links in this post... I know it's Wednesday
Little Man was sick early this week
He was very congested in his big dumb head
Holy crap we need to clean the house up
Have a great week everyone!