Radio Free Bupkis

Every new media goes through a "But why?" phase.

In the early 90s I was entering office world. Former modes of employment generally involved mopping at the end of the night. I was familiar with the Internet from college, but I noticed businesspeople (especially folks over 30) reacted to the idea of e-mail by asking why they wouldn't simply use the phone.

Podcasting - the idea of distributing radio-like segments over the internet to various digital devices - just seems boring, so far. I've spent the last few days listening to podcasts. I am reminded of the post-conference cocktail hour at the airport Ramada. In the time it takes to drain a Gimlet you might hear a neat tip, or a wry observation, but soon enough you want to get back to the room.

Still, the distribution mechanism for podcasting is innovative, and has possibilities. And I like anything that has the potential to subvert (even slightly) ClearKampf Communications.

Podcasters should aim directly for originality and innovation. I'd rather hear 120 seconds of brilliance than 1/2 hour of blather. Learn from the formal delivery of people who do radio well - Glass, Keillor, even Limbaugh. What can be delivered uniquely through this medium? What can't you get elsewhere? Why should I give you my time?