Sunday, April 24, 2005

What makes you think anyone cares?

Let me start by saying that I absolutely believe in free speech, and I know that no one can force me to listen to things that don't interest me.

With that said, what's the deal with people doing their own private podcasts? For the record, this post is not inspired by a podcast of anyone I know or read regularly. So if you think I'm talking about you, I'm probably not (although this may be applicable, so pay attention)! ;)

I just listened to a podcast by someone who felt compelled to talk about the little details of their day-to-day life. Now, I reserve the right to be as mind-numbingly dull as the next guy, but some of these people make me feel downright sophisticated.

Let's be clear, all of you podcasters who think the world is waiting to hear your pearls of wisdom. I don't need to hear your grating voice blathering on about the hairball your cat coughed up. I don't need to hear a podcast about the auto mechanic and how he screwed up the repair on your '73 Nova. I don't need to hear about the cute origami your boyfriend made to celebrate 3 months together. If your life is boring and ordinary, making a podcast of it doesn't change that fact.

No, I don't need to listen. I know this. The problem is that I went into some of this with the (obviously misguided) thought that anyone taking the trouble to make a podcast must have something worthwhile to share. Wow, was I wrong!

So, to the podcasters of the world, I say, if you're not the type of person whom people flock to in order to hear you speak, then you might want to ask whether putting your ramblings online is the thing to do. If, on the other hand, you're the life of the party, the one who keeps everyone in stitches, then fire away. Oh, and let me know where to find your podcast, because what I've found so far can cure insomnia!

3 comments:

Rob Byrnes said...

Hee hee. I love it. And I'm really not talking about anyone in particular, because I don't even have speakers. I just agree that it's usually better to keep your mouth shut if you have nothing to say.

xxxxx said...

Come come now. Half my blog (and just everyone else’s) is about absolutely nothing at all. What's the difference whether they type it or say it?

Stop raining on people’s fun.

Bruce said...

Jess,
I share some of the same feelings as you regarding podcasts. And, as some have noticed, I even feel the same way about my own blog.