Sometimes I get nagging thoughts. Okay. A lot of the time I get nagging thoughts. Perhaps a more sane person would abandon them. But me. I write them down in “diaries.” So here goes.
As with all nagging thoughts, the thing that makes them nag me is that they come from multiple directions and collide in the center in my brain like a train wreck. Then they are a mess that needs to be sorted out one way or another. This particular nagging thought came from a few directs. And has collided like this.
There was Connecticut Man’s diary about supporting blogger media projects. And there was the lecture I saw on Book TV by John Perkins (Confessions of An Economic Hitman), which was mentioned on the front page by SusanHu. The sum of these ideas that collided from these directions was that we (being people who see the need to change the world from its current corporate capitalistic path toward human destruction) need to share our own ideas with one another and amplify them, because the corporate MSM is obviously never going to do so on any large scale.
Then there were these innocuous ideas and events. I saw my nephews iPod over the holidays and realized that these gadgets were cool (and also IBM compatible). I bought one. I learned about things called podcasts — wonder of wonder — an entire radio network of that is available to us in a relatively inexpensive and not overly corporatized way. So the sum of these colliding ideas — I can set up a radio station right where I’m sitting now, for like almost no money (very little). I’m a radio broadcaster waiting to happen.
And then there were these thoughts, that I’ve garnered from the book selling trail. Broadcast media reaches a ton of people. It is an incredibly powerful format. And fun. And while I’ve learned the extent to which it is completely dominated by large corporate interests, I’ve become enchanted with its charms.
So all these ideas mashed into my head this weekend. It was Connecticut’s diary that set off the chain reaction, leading to the collision of thoughts, and my current nagging idea: I want to start a liberal/blog radio podcast.
But as with all my half-baked schemes, the internal criticisms started to pour down. Reasons for not even thinking this should be a good idea:
Reasons This is Stupid Idea
Lack of time to do project justice.
Potential life changes in near future which will force a return to the corporate economy (and thus require a silencing of this voice of dissent).
High probability that the podcast would “suck,” due to operator talent deficiency (OTP — check the medical diagnosis).
No real audience — who cares, anyway?
So here’s me. With a nagging idea. Wondering whether to jettison it, and wait for the next nagging idea to trouble my small brain. But if this nagging idea is to take flower, here’s what I’m thinking so far:
Plan
Set up a 30 minute weekly podcast. Produce it on Saturday nights, so that people tuning in for Sunday news coverage can access a new episode each week. Show will concentrate on what happened in the progressive blogosphere in the previous week, particularly those stories where the MSM is misleading or absent. Kind of like an alternative to watching Meet the Press.
Spread word around the blogosphere, about the podcast. Hope that a percentage of those tens of thousands of Kossacks have received an iPod as a recent gift. Or hope they will listen on their PC.
Show to suck during the early days. Getting to know the technology, etc. But will eventually build into a high-quality program with theme music, background noise, guest bloggers via telephone. Perhaps recurring segments like: News, Blog entertainment, Blog gossip, etc.
Expansion possibilities: Show would naturally progress toward a daily news show (like a counter-balance to broadcast network news). But I’ll never have time to man that. So show would have to be hosted by other bloggers. Perhaps volunteers for one day a week, working under the same franchise.
All right. That is it. I’ve purged for the day. I’m hoping for enough negative comments on this, so that you talk me out of this silly waste of time. I don’t really want to spend every Saturday night for the rest of my life doing a “broadcast.” It is a silly, silly idea. And then there would be the daily note taking from blogs. And the e-mails to manage. How’s a guy gonna watch his nephew wrestle this year if he’s gotta do all this crap. And what about the second novel. Never gonna get done. And the possibility of a real job in future. That would nuke it. Somebody stop me. Or I’ll jump.
Seriously. Shoot this down so I do not waste more time. Life is short. Give me your worst criticism. Be mean spirited. I know you people at the frog pond can do it. And I’m begging.
Also, this pilosophical question. Why is it that the spell checker on this blog, constantly highlights the words “blog,” “blogs,” and “blogosphere” when I run spell check? Is it some kind of denial of its own existence. A ridiculous minimalism. An absurd post-modern interpretation of the fleeting nature of life? I don’t know. But I’m troubled. And I’d like an answer.
All right. I’m going away now. I’m not going to read the negative stuff, until tonight. I’m going to go and do work for peace. And then I’m going to come back and be sufficiently put in my place so that I stop writing down these simplistic ideas that should be ignored and not spoken about in the real world. Or in the blogosphere (sp?) for that matter.
but I have some questions about the technology. Do I have to have an Ipod (knowing that I will never ever do it justice any more than I did the palm pc I had). Can anybody read your material on the ‘cast? I have a great 1-900 voice even though I am older than dirt! And can you let guest authors give you material? You might get a great line up going and get a couple of great hours a week even in the first few months! (I am not volunteering for the later – who can compete with SusanHu or Georgia10 or Rumi or Oui or spiderleaf or Roseeriter etc.)
You don’t need an ipod, but you need a computer and some program like itunes (which is free) through which to download the podcast. Then you can listen through your computer. The ipod simply allows you to take them with you and, for instance, listen to them while you are taking a walk, or working out.
I like the idea too. I’ve had itunes and an ipod for a year now and I’ve just started to listen to podcasts. I downloaded a bunch of them last week, mostly book reviews, and then put them on my ipod and listened to them on a flight to Chicago. It was great.
“The ipod simply allows you to take them with you and, for instance, listen to them while you are taking a walk, or working out.”
Or while cooking and ironing, as I was doing last night (Mrs. K.P. is out of town; usually I cook and she irons) while listening to NPR’s Ira Flatow’s “Science Friday” (research for next Saturday’s Environmental diary).
You an also buy little adapters or antennae to have the iPod output to the car radio so you can listen to the iPod while driving (Mrs. K.P. took my antenna adapter for her drive to Kansas City).
For christmas I got an ipod clock radio — you can sync your ipod and wake up to a specific playlist. Which sounds very cool, but I haven’t yet had time to figure out what I’d like to wake up to.
Or you can fall asleep to a specific playlist without having to have pods in your ears.
You said it KP. You old techie you.
I couldn’t have answered it better myself. Thanks mary.
and reading comments. No you don’t have to have an iPod. I don’t think. I believe the broadcasts we would create could be listened to from you PC. But I’m a newb to this tech. So we’ll just have to see. And no, age discrimination will not be tolerated on the new media. You can read/comment no matter how sexy or young your voice sounds.
Joe, this is a great idea. I’ve been chewing on it since I discussed jazz podcasts almost 6 months ago in a Jazz Jam diary. Unfortunately, I really don’t have a good radio voice or I’d have already done it.
Missed your old comment from Jazz hour. Is it possible I have been here shorter than six months time. Hard to believe if it is true. Kind of like a time warp. Feel like I’ve been here forever.
This has got to be the sorriest, lame-ass excuse for a stupid idea I have seen, and I have seen many.
Your so-called stupid idea is not only not stupid, which is, according to most peoples’ standards, somewhat key, it is both practical and doable.
Twin kisses of death for any stupid idea wannabe.
Don’t get me wrong, Joe. You may be a terrific father, an outstanding uncle, a fine writer.
But an originator of stupid ideas you are not. Maybe one day, if you keep working at it, it’s a skill you could develop.
But until that happens, leave the stupid ideas to Washington and content yourself with organizing the PodCast.
Thanks for at least trying to call the idea stupid. You did your best. And I appreciate it.
Three Thumbs Up!
You are such a mutant. You Portlanders and your extra opposible digits.
Where do I sign up? Can I do a broadcast on education, please.
We own those airwaves – why the hell shouldn’t we take them over?
No where to sign up just yet. But we will certainly let you have your say about education when the time comes. On that, rest assured.
Would this run afoul of the FCC? (i am a total lame- don’t mind me).
I remember guerilla radio being shut down in San Fran and NJ. Just askin-since iIdon’t have an Ipod-but I will GET one!
Go for it.
It’s totally legal, although if you broadcast commercially-produced music without permission, even snippets as a theme song, you’ll get in trouble with the record companies.
Most unlicenced radio station operators in the US have gone over to podcasts as it’s legal and you can reach a worldwide audience. They do lose the local audience in their homes and cars though (unless the listeners buy the right toys).
You can download AirAmerica podcasts if it’s not broadcast in your city – like here š
Again. Good answer. I feel like family member on old family feud, hopping up and down and saying, “Good answer.”
use Creative Commons music instead.
Short answer. No.
Ok Terry, remember you asked for feedback. Here’s how it goes down:
And don’t forget to put the idea in your newsletter. š
Good thoughts. I will process them and include in whatever is to come.
Come on, Joe!
I’ve owned an iPod for just over a year and freely admit that ‘podcasts’ is a functionality I have not yet explored.
But if something like this was offered, I would try to figure it out in a heartbeat. And hearing the real voices of progressive bloggers is an added bonus.
It’s already there if you look for it.
One of the (several) podcasts I downloaded is called “My Bald Thoughts” which is essentially a guy in his basement commenting on Canadian politics every week or two.
It’s the marriage of blog and audio.
Sounds great.
While we’re waiting for Joe to get ready š
we should check out what is out there.
I googled “political podcasts” and got about 1,400 hits.
The top one was Blast the Right – therationalradical
listened a bit, but he was too pedantic for me.
Will try to check out a few more.
Curiously, I just encountered this item a few minutes ago:
Of course I’d much rather hear you & some of the other bloggers mentioned rather than Willie Brown any day of the week.
Okay. And this is supposed to talk me out of this idea, how?
I don’t own an ipod but would listen on computer for sure. Yeah, some sorry ass stupid idea joe. Why didn’t I have it…lol.
Another comment failing to talk me out of this very bad idea.
Joe, silly, silly ideas are me wishing I could moon GW or personally give Cheney the finger, or wonder if I only ate chocolate could I lose weight?
More seriously and I hate to break this to you-for a guy who writes such funny stuff you have seriously cool ideas-many of which you have translated into action this last year..accidental you are not anymore.
Oh, I’m sorry, you wanted negative, well let’s see…ah…..ah..nope can’t find a fucken negative here unless maybe a double negative like ok, no, not ever should you do this-except I think it’s a brilliant idea…sorry.
And rba set up a guideline that makes it sound like it could be a managable or doable thing for you and not completely overwhelm your busy schedule or family life.
Can never count on you for seriously negative commentary CI. š
Well, I’m certainly no freaken Pollyanna but seriously for the love of His Noodly Apendage if you want negative feed back man, you have to say something seriously stupid…and I’ll be glad to oblige.
Some thoughts:
We should find someone(s) with a good speaking voice to read the stories. Annoying nasal voices (like mine) will turn off listeners.
We should call it something like “Booman Podcast” to get synergy with the BMT website (assuming this isn’t just Joe doing his own thing in his basement).
There is special software you need to download or buy so that when you record your podcast it doesn’t sound like it’s coming over two Dixie cups connected by a string.
As mentioned elsewhere, if you use commercially-released music for a theme or at breaks, you need to get proper permissions. It’s easier to find a local band and have them compose 15 seconds worth of music for you, or get their permission to use their demo CD to make them famous. (At the end of the podcast one might say “Theme music by ‘SusanHu and the Raccoons'” in their best Terry Gross imitation.)
If we had a reader that others could contribute material to, I suspect most folks would be thrilled to have their diaries read into cyberspace. Boo and Susan might pick which diaries get promoted to the podcast each week, or we could have a committee do it. Or we might use the most highly recommended diaries of the week by the readers (assuming there’s some way to ascertain that information).
But we also want to have podcast-only material, too, to encourage folks landing here to try the podcast, and vice-versa. Same philosophy we have with European Tribune.
An interesting thought – how to incorporate comments to diaries? Treat them like when “All Things Considered” reads “letters to NPR?”
I would LOVE for us to get this up and running before a site like dKos does it. Boo, this could catapult you to the next level in blogospace.
To hear music by “SusanHu and the Raccoons,” I’d run right out and buy an iPod. Have been avoiding the whole issue through technophobia, and slow-like-molasses dial-up, but the explanations here make it sound do-able.
Great idea, BJoe. I like the idea of tying it in to BooTrib. Also, to EuroTrib–perhaps we could get Jerome and Fran and some others to give the real news from Over There–add some Continental class to the blogosphere.
Also like the idea of BooTribbers leading the technology pack. Yay!
Love to hear that band, too. Maybe we will try a pilot episode or two first.
Nasal voice. Check. Not letting that stop me — the new media is not pretty — just pretty good content.
Booman. I’d like to use it, but I can’t infringe on his trademark absent his assent.
Tech issues. Have to work them out as I go.
Copyright issues. Don’t infringe. Check.
Original material for podcasts. Sure. As long as you write it all.
We’ll see.
This former radio newscaster says you should go for it! Although you might want to start with a shorter program–it takes more material than you’d think to fill 30 minutes. And remember that anything you’re going to read “on the air” should be written in short sentences, or else you’ll find yourself gasping.
Thanks for tips RH.
See Joe, you can rest easy tonight! Nobody is interested in another lame idea. ( NOT š )
PS. Joe: Just been over at My Left Wing. I Think Cup O Joe is on to what you are talking about. You might want to check out “It’s Wanker-rific”
It is getting late. Not going to get to check this out. I’m assuming it is someone who had this idea eons ago and is already doing it, and doing it well. In which case, I still have this wild hair that makes me want to try it out.
. . . now you’ve gone and done it. What DF said. And everyone else.
Sorry I couldn’t help out by shooting it down for you.
This place is like the lamest site ever for flaming people. Which is probably why I like it so much.
Joe, forget about the podcast, just continue to put your words here. It’s easy for you, easy for us to access and the price is right. Not all of us have ipods, you know. š
Okay. That is like twenty votes for, and one against. Way to go Boran. I’m never going to do a podcast.
.
That’s where the investment money is flowing!
WiMax is a new standard for wireless communications (IEEE 802.16) that facilitates the interconnection of WiFi hotspots into bigger networks. It also enables ‘broadcasting’ over up to 50 miles with direct line of sight (Though perhaps 10 miles will be the average)
A new faster WiFi standard just announced is one more step toward WiMax.
The point here is that WiMax will change the media game significantly. Remember Pirate Radio? Here comes Pirate Media. When you can put WiMax on your roof and address one million people in an urban area directly, the next stage of media decentralization will begin.
More WiMax info — You will find more than you ever need to know here:
http://wimaxsurvival.com/
http://www.wimaxforum.org/home/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMAX
“But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.”
▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
Are you saying we are going to have to all have an IPO in a few years and get rich quick? I must refuse such a plan. I am not a capitalist, at heart.
.
As a true capitalist one still needs to eat others first, to sustain a monopoly, create power and attract investment money on the NASDAQ stock exchange. In other words, you have to be attractive!
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
▼▼▼ READ MY DIARY ▼
would be to have certain bloggers read their best post of the week. I’d love to hear The Driftglass person, or Billmon, or Jeanne of Body and Soul read me one of their thoughtful posts in their own voice while I work out or clean the kitchen.
This would take care of two minutes of your podcast, let us hear how they sound, have some known names associated with your podcast, and give some more exposure to those bloggers.
Sounds neato. I’d love that, too.
Wow – what a great idea, if you could talk them into it. And not just bloggers, but diarists, too. I’d kill to hear ko or Meteor Blades read one of theirs, and those are two that I bet would do it.
Well, I guess they’re bloggers as well as diarists, but you know what I mean. And Jerome a Paris – I’ve heard him and yes, of course, he has a very sexy French accent.
Really long day at the peace office. Much preparation. A full meeting. Lots of acrimony about what to do with my latest peace proposal. Very frustrating. But progress was made. We are birthing some new peace plan into the world. Some way to try to make change happen locally. All is well. If slow.
Come home to see all these nice comments. What is the problem people? Did we not get the memo? Idea was to dissuade me from going forward on this time-suck of an idea.
But I must admit, I’m in love with the idea of it. Can’t get it out of my head. Must do it. Try it. In some form or another. And see if it will work. So here’s my plan, after reading all your suggestions (and having a few beers to wash away the memories of a war-like peace meeting): I’m taking my drunk ass into the podcasting manual. And I’m going to put together a pilot program tonight. Don’t expect much. Maybe I won’t even be able to do it, for lack of technical know how or something. But I’m gonna try anyway. Just some BS. And throw it out there. And tomorrow diary it up. And we’ll go from there.
I like the daily show concept. Maybe a five minute show daily. Maybe a different blogger from Booman volunteering to cover each weekday (and some fill-ins in case someone can’t get there assignment done). Rotate on a regular basis to give everyone a chance. And I’ll keep one day and the weekend show to myself, for starters. Just spitballing here, as I have no clue how this is going to work. But I’m about two minutes from finding out something.
Talk to you in the morning. You lame arse bastards (when it comes to talking someone out of something clearly detrimental to their leisure time interests).
more later, but this is an idea whose time has come…