Okay, it is Tuesday again and I am posting a post... how long has it been? I have no idea, time means nothing in the social-distancing-work-from-home-world. I can't believe the last post was from soooo long ago. I apologize for the lack of posting... things have been weird to say the least.
So... because there are no movie theatres and no new production of TV shows, today's topic is "Streaming."
Here we are with questions:
1. Erin: To binge or not to binge? When you find a show do you watch it all at once?
I don't think I have ever been able to binge an entire series at once. I have plowed through a series in a weekend though. A story can be different when you binge it. Some are designed for binging, but most are not. Watching a show week to week allows a show to breathe and add some filler to reset the story for the viewer, even just in minor ways. However, if you binge a show, the show should take that into account and present the show to you as a single narrative (if it has an overall arching narrative). A common complaint I have heard recently is how much filler and how slow shows are in their middle of the season shows. They would not seem like they were stretching content so much if you were watching them week to week.
2. Bill: What takes longer, searching for something to watch or actually watching the thing?
With the amount of amazing content out there, it often feels like searching for something to watch takes longer than actually watching the thing. That is why you need to crowdsource recommendations from a curated list of people whose taste you trust. Recommendation engines are getting better all the time as well, but they may not surface some of the real gems that are out there.
3. Some other guy: What streaming services are you using?
I have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Disney+, ESPN, the PBS app on the Roku, DC Universe, and I watch stuff on YouTue.
4. Some other guy: What is the last thing you streamed on Netflix?
That I didn't just put on for background noise and had not seen before? "My Octopus Teacher" A delicate and graceful documentary about this guy's friendship with an octopus. It was sweet and heartfelt and quiet and lovely.
5: Some other guy: What was the last thing you streamed on Amazon Prime?
I just finished up Iron Man 3, in my rewatch of the MCU in chronological order (not release order) while using the hated treadmill. I hate that treadmill.
6: Some other guy: What was the last thing you streamed on HULU?
Ugh... I see where this is going. Okay on HULU, the documentary, Apollo 11. All footage from ‘69, gorgeous and amazing. Watch this with the lights out and the volume up. It is amazing. On Dissney+, I rewatched the Mandalorian again. This is not show that benefits from binging. Week to week is significantly better. On ESPN I watched that Michael Jordan documentary, "The Last Dance." It is very clear that MJ was an executive producer on the series. On PBS, I watched the most recent NOVA called "Human Nature" about gene editing and CRISPR. Really thought provoking. DC Universe? I watched some episodes of the animated Harley Quinn show. Really good, but I forget to look at that app. I got it to watch Titans and Doom Patrol. I need to cancel it since it is about to be consumed in total by HBO Max anyway. On YouTube? Tons of stuff.
7. Nicole: What are you streaming?
Aside from the channels I mentioned in the previous questions, I primarily look for good documentaries. I love a good doc or docuseries.
8. Lars: In what way are streamers relevant to streaming?
I can only assume you mean the decorative party streamers. They are used to celebrate parties and events. So streaming is defined as "the instance of flowing" so streamers gonna stream., Bay-Bee!
9. The physicist: In physics, what is the most efficient form of streaming?
Laminar Flow, FTW!!!
10. Bruce: If your band-width slows down is it creeking? If it increases, is it rivering?
I am not sure if they have decided to adopt the geomorphological and hydrological stream classification systems. I am also not sure that creeking should ever be used without "frog" and "gigging."
11. Bruce: Best value in a streaming service?
Amount of original content that is enjoyable. So far Disney+ needs to step up its game. They need more content than just the Madalorian.
Honestly? Prime Video (in the US) because it gets you in the Amazon ecosystem and takes off most shipping fees when ordering from Amazon.
12. Bruce: What are you looking forward to on your favorite streaming service?
Quality originals.
13. Dave: Why is it, in the morning, that there is sometimes 2 streams?
You need to drink more water.
14. Dave: How can the morning stream be made to be more predictable?
Well, the morning stream (I assume you are not talking about the daily podcast from Scott Johnson on the Frogpants podcast network) is made more predictable by consistent water consumption and sleep hygiene (going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time). Consistency is key to predictability.
15. Lisa: How many streaming services do you have? How many do you actively use?
I have 8 and I watch or interact with 4 of the 8 daily, and 6 of the 8 at least weekly, and I need to cancel 2.
16. Steven: What are your stream of consciousness thoughts on stream of consciousness?
I don't really have that many stream of consciousness thoughts about stream of consciousness. I think that is because as akid I had to create an order to my brain to be able to function in a modern day society that seems to be collapsing as we speak because anti-tyranny idiots are siding with tyranny because they are afraid of science, and don't understand that a mask not only helps them,. but also makes going to football games happen sooner.
17. Erin: Is there anything about the non-streaming experience that you miss?
Really... not much. I guess with the preponderance of quality content it would be very difficult to consume all the quality content that everyone is talking about in a linear broadcasting format.
18. Linda: Why do they call it streaming?
It is called streaming because you never really download any data. The data just streams through your device, it never really resides in your device, it just goes through it.
19. Zane: Would you do any streaming of your own?
You mean like Twicth? or something like that? I am not sure that anyone wants to watch a 46 year old man get his ass kicked in games.
20. Eily: Have you ever streamed CallMeCarson, or are you an olds?
Nope, never heard of the fool, and yep, I am the olds
To recap:
Strange things are afoot at the Circle K
I'm hungry even though I ate a whole thing of Shrimp Vindaloo (which I highly recommend)
I am also thirsty... but not thirsty enough to do a Thirsty Thursday pic... ladies... and I guess some gentlemen
I have been on the treadmill a bunch lately
My feet have never felt better
But I hate the treadmill
It is terrible
It's good to be back
I will be making more of an effort to be more regular about the posting
It's hard getting questions and interviews together though
Have a great week, mine has already been insanely good