Like you, I have consistantly recognized the significance of empowerment from podcasting. My problem with this thread has been the way Coursey’s underlying theme is being entirely dismissed as tripe. Even Madge saw something of value in his skepticism.

I do not agree with Coursey in his predictions in any way whatsoever. That part of his argument is weak and not supported. On the other hand, his touching on “vanity podcasting” shows some promise, had he expanded HIS view more adequately, IMHO. He is not the first to point out the role of vanity in this whole arena. A more suitable analogy might be the tendency to have one’s poems or biography published by a business which strokes the ego of the wannabee artist. I could draw much better analogies there upon taking a look at some of the fringe enterprises popping up to sell podcasting as THE NEXT BIG THING.

Meantime, I go back to my point. I like your blog and the people here who support it. It your gig, but I prefer you not diminish it in my eyes by acting like the same media establishment you have criticized. The people who built those media empires didn’t have tools like we have. Coursey is a lemming with an attitude but nevertheless has said something of value. If you believe in empowerment, give him that much. You seem brighter than to deny him that.

My sincere apology for acting trollish. That was discourteous indeed.

My point is consistent with what I’ve said all along, which is the opposite of what you are imputing to me. My message all along has been “You can do this to, and someone wants to hear what you have to say.” Every day I hear voices that previously weren’t speaking to me. Coursey claims that will stop because this is hard work best left to the pros. I claim that self-expression is for everyone, empowers the audience, and that an empowered audience is a better audience.

You and your pal (mentor? guru? maharishi? zen master?), Slusher, have not answered the critique with anything other than name-calling. Silly boys. We are talking about c-o-n-t-e-n-t, spelled with a “c” and how it often has a tendency to fade. Read: “podfade”, to quote a Scott Fletcherism.

Example: Chronicles has just faded off my aggregator. BTW, Madge dismissed podcasting as a bowel movement in her post. Do you agree with that or accept it?

I do blog. But you’d be out of your league posting on my site.

Your “gods of geekdom” bit, as scathing a criticism as it was, is a bit weak considering the source. Let me remind you of some words from a sage individual:

A weblogger that dismisses podcasting as inflicting tripe on the world is like someone dressed as Mr. Spock giving Dr. Who fans shit for being dorks. If you can’t tell that you are soaking in the same broth, perhaps you aren’t as insightful as you let on.

I believe those words are applicable to both you and Mr Coursey equally. I’m not sure if either of you are webloggers, but that really doesn’t matter. I’ve read your comments and Mr. Coursey’s articles and tripe spewers art thou both.

If Coursey can be accused of anything, it is of being “anti-vanity”. And he has made a convincing case for the state of podcasting content today. That is not the same as dumping on podcasting in general and I think he argued that well.

It’s funny how, when pointed out, the vanity in us all gets so vehemently rebuked. The pointing out that is.

Lesson, Dave: Don’t start acting like the establishment you so cutely and often critique.

John, does this sound like a funny way to agree with Dave, too? I think you have some snad in yer eye, son.

I believe Dave did give some consideration to what the guy had to say. He considered and thought, “Wow, what an asshat.” I believe this to be true becasue it mirrors my own experience.

You are absolutely correct in the statement, “Niether (sic) of you have any idea where this is headed.” Which leads one to wonder why Coursey would feel the need to try to piss in the podcasting Post Toasties unless, of course, he had something to lose if it succeeds. Which is what I think the point of Dave’s post was.

You have an odd way of saying “I agree with everything Dave said”, but I’m sure he appreciates it.

You can’t stop a movement, especially if it’s a bowel movement!