Evan asked me if I was introducing the “hot take” (this is what I used for my Pop Up Beer Gardens Suck) as my new segment and I won’t because it’s too overused. Everyone has a hot take and I’d say my takes are more lukewarm which doesn’t roll off the tongue as well.
Today’s post is on why I don’t listen to Podcasts. I equate putting on a podcast to playing a DVD to watch a movie. It’s too much trouble. This may come of as maniacal and ridiculous but those 10 seconds of action deter me greatly. For instance, I don’t mind going to MyDVR but hate going to On Demand. MyDVR pops up instantly and OnDemand loads for about 3 seconds.
Of course this isn’t the only reason I dislike Podcasts or you could considering putting me in an asylum. My main problem is that it isn’t LIVE. I’d rather watch a baseball game live (a sport I minimally like) vs a replay of the PGA ( a sport I have much interest because of Draftkings). In a live setting ANYTHING can happen (it could even be a boat). A replay is censored. Podcasts are thought out. Live radio is spontaneously. Last night I was listening to sports radio where Jon Johnson was rattling off his top 5 action movie stars. I asked myself wouldn’t I rather be listening to a thought provoking podcast? No I wouldn’t.
In case you were wondering his list was 5. Steven Segal 4. Bruce Willis 3. Tom Cruise 2. Sylvester Stallone 1. Arnold Schwarzenegger. I don’t believe Segal should be on the list and Harrison Ford should be 5. I’d even bop Tom Cruise with Mel Gibson.
I’ve only ever listened to one Podcast in my life and that was Serial which I somewhat enjoyed but finished with an underwhelming feeling. I’d must prefer Making a Murderer to a podcast which is another reason why I don’t like podcasts. Video trumps audio. Soon Virtual Reality with trump video. I also don’t like to feel like I’m wasting time so the idea that anyone and everyone can make a podcast is a turnoff to me. At least with TV you know someone is spending at least thousands to share their idea. I also find them to be too long. People talking for an hour is not entertaining to me. I can’t feel restricted when I spend my time on entertainment.
So there you go. Podcasts suck and you’ll probably disagree and point out 25 podcasts that are awesome and I won’t listen to any of them. Just kidding but you’d have to really twist my arm and then better be right about it being good.
I’ve got to disagree with your take on podcasts. Sure, they are not always a 1st choice for entertainment, but I think you are overlooking some good qualities.
1) While most radio shows, etc. tend to have rambling and random content – podcasts are focused, usually around a central topic, industry or subject. So if you want to learn more about woodworking, or roofing, cooking or the stock market – you can find a podcast that discusses just that. There are even podcasts discussing how to successfully operate a podcast.
2) They are not time-sensitive. You can listen to half, then the other half later.
3) The are a democratic voice. Anyone can start one (like a blog), and it provides a chance to hear an entire range of people that you normally wouldn’t. Obviously, not everyone is entertaining.
If I’m in the shop or on a job-site, putting on a 3hr podcast in the background helps the day go by a bit faster – and I usually learn something.
I think there are 2 podcasts you actually would really enjoy. One is The Adam Carolla Show (which is much like Stern). The other is the Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan always has incredibly interesting guests and the conversation usually takes some inquisitive tangents. Guests range from MMA fighters, musicians, comedians, scientists, business people, activists, etc.
Listen to these 2 on a car ride. I think you will get hooked. Just skip the 1st 7min of promos in the beginning.
Joe Rogan + Corey Knowlton
https://youtu.be/8A1D-f_meFY
[Knowlton won a bid to hunt and kill one of the last endangered rhinos in the world. He discusses the backlash, the media coverage and the ethics of hunting and its misconceptions.]
Joe Rogan + Michael Wood Jr.
https://youtu.be/Ndg-JGmYryA
[Michael Wood is an ex-Baltimore cop. He discusses in detail the process police use in inner cities, and discusses why so many cops are killing black youth.]
The Joe Rogan with Lance Armstrong is crazy too.
Rights to Ricky Sanchez – a must listen to any process-trusters
http://spikeeskin.com/tag/rights-to-ricky-sanchez/