In before anyone assumes I’m making a blanket statement: Not all podcasters are crackpots, but all crackpots seem to have a podcast.
In before anyone assumes I’m making a blanket statement: Not all podcasters are crackpots, but all crackpots seem to have a podcast.
I’m not saying the concept didn’t exist then. There was just a higher barrier to entry than buying a microphone.
The lowest barrier to radio entry once the web came around was shortwave. Dirt cheap, really and worldwide with the right conditions.
Holy shit '90s shortwave was nuts
On the contrary, HAM and CB radios have been popular since WWII (and somewhat before). I have a radio capable of picking up shortwave frequencies… holy shit the stuff you still hear on there.
Given that today you also need an Internet connection I’m not sure the barrier of microphone and smart device is all that different from microphone and HAM receiver.
Sure. But also some of my favorite media is podcasts, and many of these exist because of the low barrier to entry. Eg:
Econtalk - a hypernerdy, super in-depth, and sometimes winding and verbose semi-academic economics podcast that sometimes dips into poetry, philosophy, political science, and anthropology.
Hardcore History - Dan Carlin’s much-acclaimed history podcast where he gives book-length lectures on gruesome historical events.
The Power Company Podcast - a podcast exclusively about training for rock climbing
There’s no way any of these shows would have been syndicated on old radio stations. But the freedom of podcasting let them create something awesome and find their niche audience.
Yes, technology has improved somewhat in the last thirty years, you’re right. Funny how that works.