Here is the direct MP3 download for the EGC clambake for March 21, 2010. I play a song by Chris Yale; I discuss the uproar in the podcast world following JC Hutchins’ recent post and my own shifting feelings about new media; I play a song by Paul Westerberg and pull the rip cord.
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Links mentioned in this episode:
- Chris Yale
- Buy the Chris Yale album Well Enough Alone
- CREATE South 2010
- AmigoFish podcast recommendation engine
- The Peakecast
- Paul Westerberg
- Buy Paul Westerberg’s album Stereo
- Deliberate Noise
- Rock and Roll Geek Indiecast
- Theme song provided by the Gentle Readers
- My FriendFeed
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Sort of a bummer episode, but it reflects a LOT of my recent thinking about podcasting and ending some of my projects.
Kinda sorry to hear you’ve lost that loving feeling – but not at all surprised. Dave, how could you not be despondent! I’m at what is becoming less and less of a safe distance from the good old USofA, but the view we have from up here is very disturbing. If we could put politics, economy, culture and education (the Texas text book issue!) aside temporarily, surely there must be some signs of hope? To a growing minority of us Canucks (rhymes with hockey pucks) we find solace in podcasting- the voice of the people! Yours Dave was one of the first I ever listened to, and you showed me how real and wonderful it could be; 5 years later I’m still going strong, and still drawing sustenance from the movement. Although I don’t think we agree on much, I sincerely hope you find joy again in putting out your show! Yours would be a loss we can’t afford.
There is no danger of me ceasing to podcast. If nothing else, I need to keep it alive to preserve my “Podcaster #5” status. When the show goes dark, that becomes a historical curiosity and not a very interesting one at that.
That said, the urgency isn’t there and the fire to communicate isn’t there. I feel more like bunkering down. Scarborough Dude raises an interesting point – can the zeitgeist get so toxic that disconnecting from it is the smart play from a mental health perspective?
I’m hoping I get an enthusiasm bump from CREATE South. Just being in the room with excited creators tends to help. Long term, I just feel like taking a nap. I’m getting old and tired and screaming at the rising tide loses its appeal after a while.
Dave – don’t beat yourself up. I see you as a creative spirit. Some folks’ podcasts are newsy, while your podcasts are often of a creative-thinking bent. Creativity comes and goes in waves as the spirit moves the artist. If the spirit isn’t moving, it’ll feel forced and uncomfortable.
Also – remember what you’ve said in the past: you don’t have to do this for anyone – do it for yourself. Along with that, you don’t owe anyone any kind of frequency. I’d rather wait a couple of months for a good heart-felt product than get a number of half-assed productions.
Do what works for you. We’ll be there to listen.
Just listened to the podcast yesterday and know exactly what you mean. Its been two months since my last podcast. Time, the changing podcast landscape. I remember back in the day when I was in the top 25 religious podcasts – now I’m not even a blip on the radar. But Shannon is right – most of us aren’t in it for anyone else – we do it for ourselves and what comes from the heart and you have never lacked that.
He’ right. We Evil Genius fans will still be there to listen whenever you are ready.
Speaking as someone who came within a whisper of packing it in after five years of more or less regular podcasting, I’d say simply, give yourself time. My own show went through a long dry spell, with no motivation, energy, or inspiration driving me to post. It was as if the podcast voice in my head had disappeared. And then, slowly, it has started to make itself heard again, and I am back doing new episodes. The muse has returned, but not because I forced it; I simply let it be. You’ll continue if and when you’re inspired to do so.