A wonderful article Charles, thanks for drawing it to my attention. As someone whose interest in podcasting has hitherto been limited to downloading Radio National programs from the ABC and the odd comedy from the BBC, this inspires me to keep it that way. I did download your experimental podcast but must admit I still haven't got around to listening to it.

Indeed I note this is major problem with the whole thing, I'm always meaning to listen to the RN programs whilst cycling to work, at the gym, walking to the shops etc. However this worthiness is usually superseded by playing music instead. At home, I'm inclined to switch on the live radio, perhaps because it is immediate. Or perhaps because live radio can be background whereas the format of the podcast, paradoxically, because it is repeatable and live radio isn't, seems to demand more attention.

Overall "Podcasting" seems a considerable step down from public radio, which at least exercises a degree of accountability since there are limited spots and they are rationed (though not always by quality!).

But there is I suppose always some possibility of achieving cult status, the "Dubbers and Spoon take the bus" linked by Dowling has potential, in concept at least. I'm almost stimulated to put up a Melbourne version, "Waiting for the tram" or some such. ("here I am waiting for the tram, it's due in two minutes".... two minutes of silence punctuated by drone of cars... "I'm still waiting"...three minutes of silence... "I'm still waiting and now it's started to rain"...three more minutes of silence... "I'm still waiting but I'm going to have to stop recording because its raining really hard now and the recorder's getting wet...)

In the end podcasts seem best suited to the excessively earnest and obsessed or adolescents generally. In other words primarily denizens of the United States and those under 21. Unfortunately, as in so many other things cultural, the Americans may be on their way to training adults of other nations to also adopt this culture. Australian Biggest Loser anyone? (though we still don't have a home grown Gerry Springer or Oprah Whinfrey, there must be some immunity at this level, we watch it but can't handle an echo of this grotesque populated by Australians?)

Going back to one of my hobby horses, the overrated and overpriced ipod, note that poor Tim can't fast forward his ipod. Any cheap mp3 flash player will almost certainly have a fast forward switch, as well as a 5 seconds back toggle. And it will usually record! It might be a bit harder to link to "podcasts" but given what they offer that hardly matters does it?

Have to agree - a good article AND informed me of the podcasts of Ricky Gervais (creator and star of The Office).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/rickygervais - hilarious.

Cheers,

Luke P