Kink on tap
katrina_splat reccommended this kink on tap podcast and, the other day, I decided to give it a go. To be honest, I was less than impressed. While it was refreshing to hear people talk about topical issues from a viewpoint even more toward the left than my own, I couldn't help but be frustrated by the lack of sophistication of the podcast. Which, I think, really, is a big shame. When I say lack of sophistication I mean that the podcast was full of rants and soapbox moments, with an inexcusable number of personal attacks on Republicans and, seemingly, anyone who didn't share the homogenous viewpoints of those running the podcast. It was almost like listening to a bunch of high school students berate society. Basic social curtesies like not interrupting someone and waiting your turn were completely thrown out the window.
In one sense I suppose preaching to the choir doesn't create big problems and obviously a lot of people take solace in listening to people who share their point of view but in order to achieve change through social media I think you need to be a bit more professional. TV shows like Q&A and Insight do a really good job of this but so do a lot of podcasts and I was expecting this one would as well. Even if you are preaching to the choir you can still provide insightful and intelligent discussion on things like why the Tea Party movement has gained so much momentum so quickly and why people like Christine O'Donnel are able to relate to Americans so effectively instead of simply calling them crazy.
I'm not completely giving up on the podcast after listening only once, perhaps the previous podcast was a catharsis of sorts that the podcasters needed to get off their chests. The problem though, is that the guy running the show claims to have made huge differences to people lives. I really think if you're going to adopt that sort of position (which he does unabashedly) you need to incorporate a high degree of accountability into what you and your podcast is saying.
I am interested in hearing rebuttals to this argument because, as I was saying, I've only heard one episode. I think it's an interesting concept for lefties like us to have our opinions challenged from a point of view even further to the left than our own when so often the attacks come from the right. Hopefully this next podcast will do that for me.
In one sense I suppose preaching to the choir doesn't create big problems and obviously a lot of people take solace in listening to people who share their point of view but in order to achieve change through social media I think you need to be a bit more professional. TV shows like Q&A and Insight do a really good job of this but so do a lot of podcasts and I was expecting this one would as well. Even if you are preaching to the choir you can still provide insightful and intelligent discussion on things like why the Tea Party movement has gained so much momentum so quickly and why people like Christine O'Donnel are able to relate to Americans so effectively instead of simply calling them crazy.
I'm not completely giving up on the podcast after listening only once, perhaps the previous podcast was a catharsis of sorts that the podcasters needed to get off their chests. The problem though, is that the guy running the show claims to have made huge differences to people lives. I really think if you're going to adopt that sort of position (which he does unabashedly) you need to incorporate a high degree of accountability into what you and your podcast is saying.
I am interested in hearing rebuttals to this argument because, as I was saying, I've only heard one episode. I think it's an interesting concept for lefties like us to have our opinions challenged from a point of view even further to the left than our own when so often the attacks come from the right. Hopefully this next podcast will do that for me.