Lyle Topping, Features Writer
Stone Cold Steve Austin once said, “What I love about podcasting is it’s guerilla radio. I don’t have to stick to anybody’s protocol or format. I can operate my show just like I want to, but at the end of the day, it’s just a can of audio whoopa**. My show is built to entertain.”
There is a podcast for everyone, for every interest. They are a new wave of media. Just like TV was to radio, podcasting is to television. It is interesting how we are reverting back to being interested in essentially talk radio. Is there a real threat of podcasts making other forms of media obsolete? Why are podcasts so enticing to the younger demographic? With the help of Professor London and Professor Helmer, we get the answers to these questions and much more, as we explore the new frontier that is “Podcasting.”
James Helmer, the assistant professor broadcast television program at DSC, was asked “Why do you think young people tend to lean more to podcasts for entertainment?” Professor Helmer responded, “I think the ‘take anywhere/always on’ nature of the cellphone is a major allure. It ties entertainment, information and personal communication into one, readily accessible media outlet with two-way communication.” Professor Helmer is highlighting a key aspect, and that is accessibility. We are turning into a society that needs instant gratification, and podcasts can feed right into that.
As far as the pros and cons that come with podcasts, Professor Helmer had this to say “Positive: more voices to choose from. Niche interest. Availability on your schedule.” He goes on, “Negatives: loss of gatekeepers- content quality, veracity and suitability is diminished. Individuals are too focused/engaged on the online content and not focusing their physical world. The individual seems to require (addicted to?) their ‘media’ hits and focusing strictly on their mediated contacts.”
Lastly, Professor Helmer had a bit of a disclaimer, saying “All the above being said, these are the thoughts from a person from the Baby Boomers generation.” Regardless of that insurance policy, Professor Helmer has a point. We need to start unplugging ourselves to start taking in the physical world that is around us.
Aaron London, who is a journalism professor at DSC, was asked “Do you feel that podcasts are taking away from other sources of media? Why?” This was his response, “I don’t think ‘taking away from other sources of media’ is the right way to look at podcasts. They offer yet another alternative source for people seeking information or entertainment.
Given the rapid pace of technological development and the growing audience preference for more mobile-friendly platforms, it is not surprising that podcasting has gained popularity.” It seems like all the signs are pointing back to “easily accessible.” Could one make the observation that there is a rather diabolical link between “easily accessible” and instant gratification? Quite possibly.
As far using podcasts for a primary source of media intake, Professor London had this to say, “If a podcast is credible – by using reliable sources, following ethical guidelines for reporting, etc. – then it certainly can be a good main source of media consumption.”
Professor London warns us about the responsibility we must undertake as listeners, “ As with newspapers, digital news sites and other forms of informational media, podcast listeners have a responsibility to ensure the source is credible and trustworthy.”