Aussie journo slams podcasting

JoshGlid brought this opinion piece in today's Sydney Morning Herald by Richard Glover to my attention:

They talk about podcasting as if it's a miracle for which we should all fall on our knees and thank God, or at least Bill Gates. And yet, as far as I can see, the whole thing is nowhere near as miraculous - or innately sexy - as wireless radio, invented over a century ago.

I've invited Richard to come on G'DAY WORLD to explain his position in more detail. Let's see if he agrees to come on. I extended the same invitation to Charles Wright a few weeks ago but he declined.

Comments

[Richard Giles]

Obviously hasn't read my manifesto. :)

However, his statement, "one can download radio programs from one's computer (moan), to one's iPod (oh-oh-oh)" proves he doesn't have the slightest inclining about Podcasting. Podcasting is not radio.

[MattyT]

Geez people like this, who push guff to the masses without properly researching, shit me. Especially when you consider that the majority of readers, who probably know nothing about podcasting, just accept his poorly informed opinion and take it as their own.

How do they earn such a wide distribution?

And why are there so many choads in mainstream media - particularly tech???

[Tony]

Dosen't he do the drive show on ABC or somehing like that?

I was almost going to send a letter to the editor but why bother. The point he was making about how you could go back in time time with podcasting and then invent radio is so flawed. The reason that podcasting is so big is because it's not streaming and you can take it with you and listen to it at anytime you want. Based on his analogy he seems to think that all podcasts are news feeds and need to be up to date and that is so wrong.

I have only just started to download Claybourne this week and after 15 episodes I am enjoying it BUT according to his theory it is out of date and I should just ignore it. The same with old episodes of G'Day Worls or even the Rock Show. None of the podcasts need to be listened to right away and could be listened to months in the future but are still relevant.

He needs to get a clue and I hope he will appear on the show and try and make his case.

Tony Harris

[Mark Bradley]

Doe he feel threatened? I dont think Richard really understands what podcasting is about - freedom at last to express, and breaking away from the dominance of programmed radio - besides his shows are pretty trite at times.

[Raduza]

What a jerk.

"A particular chunk of my own radio show is slated for podcasting in a couple of weeks".

Hope he teaches his mum how to use iPodder (if he's worked it out himself), because that's the only audience on the net he's likely to attract.

[MattyT]

This article was much better:

http://theage.com.au/articles/2005/06/21/1119321738936.html?from=rss

[Tony]

A pretty good article. Thanks for the link.

[Erik]

Did he absolutely miss the point that anyone can podcast for a few thousand versus the few millions it takes to broadcast radio? Podcasters don't have to prove the show by its commercial viability. If it is good, grass roots will promote the show. The whole progression, freedom of speech idea without boudaries.