On Podcasting

The current issue of Wired magazine features a front cover image of a small transister radio being blown apart by a bullet - feature articles ponder the future of radio as we have known it, and the emerging trends in web radio and in particular what is known as 'podcasting'. Podcasting is do it yourself radio which can be downloaded to MP3 players such as the ipod. Using RSS feeds, whenever you dock your player to your computer, new podcasts can be automatically uploaded randomly. I just came into the office listening to 'The Daily Source Code', a programme hosted by the 'inventor' of podcasting, Adam Curry. Its a nice concept, and opens up the parameters of your ipod or MP3 player way beyond simply listening to imported CD's. Podcasting is highly mobile, using the portablity of MP3 players, and thus begins to break down the static nature of much web radio which invariably remains tied to the computer on a desk etc. In essence audio weblogs, podcasts come in a multitude of shapes and sizes - I have yet to explore the podcast community thoroughly, but it is growing fast. As a tactical media, podcasting is another self-sustaining form of dispersed media with the ability to bring little known or covered areas to interested audiences. I have not yet come across podcasts which cover contemporary art and related issues - perhaps this is something to ponder and I am certainly keen to think this through. For more information and ways to hear podcasts check these sites out:
ipodder - ipodcast central - for downloads etc.
Podcast Directory
Technorati Tag on Podcasting