Podcasts-anyone disappointed in how they’ve gone?

[CurlewKate]

I remember when Podcasts were a new thing. They seemed exciting and subversive—a way of expressing non mainstream stream view. Challenging the status quo. Citizen journalism, if you like. But now they’re mostly in the hands of big companies and advertisers.Nothing new or original. No room for individualism. Such a shame.

Well given that the hard left (and I put you in that category given posts I've seen from you all over MN, no I'm not stalking you; you're a very prolific poster) have done everything in their power to discredit citizen journalism and freedom of expression when the opinions don't suit their preferred narrative, you've only really got yourself and others like you to blame.

I have listened to A LOT of podcasts over the years. I've not thought about the non-mainstream thing before, but I absolutely find it really hard to find interesting, good quality and gripping podcasts recently. There are just too many, and finding ones in a style I like has got increasingly hard.

What a bonkers claim to make! Your post has made me look up CurlewKate's posts and can't see anything that would make her hard left? How on Earth are you defining hard left?!

I was more listening to interest rather than cause/ citizen journalist type podcasts. But they usually led me to other shows. I liked listening to normal people and the communities that sprung up around them. Now it’s just another celebrity vehicle and it makes it hard to find ‘original’ podcasts. I’m really disappointed with how they’ve gone as a medium.

Out of interest, how am I stopping people from making podcasts?

Oh, I’m dead ‘ard Left, me!

Snort. I agree, but it’s not hard to look ‘hard left’ on Mn these days. I suspect that’s how many Mners would see my politics. They aren’t, but from a right wing echo chamber, they clearly look it.

I have no idea whether OP is hard left or not. But the point @preppercornmakes about diminishing freedom of expression is true and general cancel culture. It’s also directly linked to monetisation. You only have to look at threads on here where people on professional salaries get told to check their privilege when they complain about the cost of living.

V much agree, it’s a shame the way podcasts have become a platform for a small pool of celebrities rather than a way for new voices to come through.

Podcasts, tiktok

All the stuff from 2020 is now just manufactured slop

I think once anything becomes a cheap easy platform for publicity, enshittification soon follows. You have to be very selective these days, the podcast format itself no longer implies any level of quality or content relevance.

😭😭😭 @CurlewKate you've made quite the impression

Sure. The "hard left" has encouraged the capitalist take-over of an art form 🙄

I need someone to help me articulate why podcasts becoming VIDEO of all fucking things gives me the rage too.

Me too. Practically, I want to be able to listen while I’m doing other things. If I want to watch TV I’ll watch TV. I also think it makes the medium even less accessible to non professionals.

This.

🤣🙌💪🏽

Seriously-can you explain why you think the hard Left would have an issue with independent podcasting?

One thing I have noticed is how self-indulgent they have become. Not having the strict time limit of a live broadcast seems to have made people loose the ability to edit themselves and speak concisely. Many podcasters these days seem to think we all want to hear their voice and opinions ad infinitum. And don't get me started on the ones that drag out a story for 13 episodes!

Leaving aside the more unhinged comment about politics, there are still loads of non-corporate podcasts out there. Admittedly they can be a bit harder to find as the heavily-financed ones get promoted so much more.