Topic: Blog

The Eurovision Song Contest celebrates its 70th anniversary in Vienna, described as a massive non-sporting global media event. Analysis covers specific entries including Australia's Delta Goodrum and Bulgaria's singer Dara, who incorporated themes of clinical anxiety and traditional ceremonies into her performance. Significant attention is given to Israel's participation amidst boycott threats and the controversy surrounding their song "October Rain," which was linked to the October 7th attacks. Changes to the voting system and jury composition are also detailed following allegations of state-sponsored ad campaigns.

The discussion covers the upcoming release of Podverse 2.0 and a massive data archive by "Anna's Blog," which reportedly backed up 99.6% of Spotify's library. The hosts reflect on the "Napster days" of music discovery and how modern apps have ruined the experience of exploring peer-to-peer hard drives. The technical aspects of podcast audio quality, specifically the use of 96kbps for a "crunchy" sound, are also mentioned.

Reflecting on personal history, one host describes being "super famous" in the Netherlands during the 1980s and 1990s, appearing alongside icons like David Bowie and Madonna. This experience is used to deconstruct the current "micro-famous" media cycle involving Dave Rubin and Candace Owens. The transition from early blogging to modern viral response loops is highlighted as a tiring and repetitive media rhythm.

In an effort to revitalize discovery in decentralized media, the "pod roll" is introduced as a modern version of the classic blog roll. This feature in Podcasting 2.0 apps allows creators to recommend other shows directly to their audience, bypassing centralized algorithms.

The historical origins of Valentine's Day are traced back to the beheading of St. Valentine in 268 AD. The holiday's impact on media consumption and the resurgence of independent blogging and RSS feeds are discussed. The "Value for Value" model is highlighted as a way to maintain independent broadcasting without corporate advertising or paywalls.

The success of Substack is contrasted with the failure of Medium, founded by Evan Williams. While Medium utilized heavy editorial oversight that stifled creators, Substack’s model allows journalists to publish directly to subscribers, though concerns remain about the eventual pressure on payment processors to censor content.

Donald Trump launched a new blog titled "From the Desk of Donald Trump" after being banned from major social media platforms. Media critics at MSNBC ridiculed the site, comparing it to "LiveJournal" from the 1990s. Analysts argue that without the reach of Twitter, Trump's ability to influence the national conversation and move "conspiracy theories" has been significantly diminished.

A debate ensues over whether journalism is the only trade expressly protected by the U.S. Constitution. The hosts argue that the "press" refers to the act of publishing rather than a specific class of professional workers, criticizing the perceived arrogance of modern journalism schools.

The hosts discuss the career of blogger Andrew Sullivan, who famously left The Atlantic to start a successful independent subscription-based site. Despite reportedly earning significant revenue, Sullivan eventually shuttered the independent venture to return to traditional publications. The hosts analyze the difficulties of maintaining independent media models and Sullivan's shift toward vocal opposition to Donald Trump.

Ev Williams, founder of Blogger and Twitter, announced significant layoffs at Medium, cutting one-third of the staff. Williams admitted that the ad-driven model for media is not serving creators or consumers and expressed a desire to move toward a "value for value" system where writers are rewarded for enlightening content. The hosts mock the delay in this realization, noting they have operated on a similar model for a decade, and question why anyone writes for a shared blog platform like Medium instead of owning their own domain.

The hosts recount how Tech TV and ZDNet failed to consult their own experts, like Leo Laporte and Chris Pirillo, when setting up corporate blogs. They use this as an example of how large organizations often ignore the talent they hire. They also briefly defend their own use of Squarespace for the show's website.

The effectiveness of the "Crooked Hillary" moniker is debated, with suggestions that the media inadvertently reinforces the label by repeating it. A blog post by Dave Winer is analyzed, which argues that Clinton's San Diego speech was a pivotal moment that successfully "embraced the madness" of the Trump campaign. The text suggests the U.S. establishment is necessary to maintain the dollar's status as the global reserve currency.

Listener feedback suggests that changes in a host's personal relationship status might lead to a shift in the show's dynamic, specifically a move toward a "grumpy" persona. The conversation touches on how Dutch gossip magazines and "TMZ-style" shows like RTL Boulevard covered recent personal news with a mix of interest and professional elitism. The hosts mock the idea that mainstream media is "real" while podcasting is dismissed as unofficial.

False reports from low-circulation magazines often propagate through blogs, leading to the spread of inaccurate details such as incorrect surnames and residential locations. Friends and family members frequently react to these rumors, causing personal annoyance for the subjects involved. The speed at which misinformation travels on platforms like Twitter complicates the process of correcting the record.

The hosts request that listeners provide time codes when sending video links and avoid sending the same stories to both hosts via Flipboard. They critique the blogging practice of "hat tipping" (H/T), specifically citing Mike Allen's Politico Playbook as a primary offender.

The Netherlands is reportedly facing high levels of depression and joblessness, particularly within the publishing sector where layoffs are frequent. In contrast, blogger Andrew Sullivan has successfully transitioned to a self-sustaining subscription model, earning over $700,000 independently.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 548 from Austin, Texas and Northern Silicon Valley. They discuss their signal strength using ham radio terminology before transitioning into a discussion about the Senate's agreement on a media shield law. Dvorak notes he predicted the move toward journalist licensing in his earlier writings about the impact of blogging on traditional media.

The show announces a new Samsung TV and Blu-ray app for accessing archived episodes. A guide for managing Gmail's "Promotions" tab is shared to help listeners find the newsletter. Additionally, photos of Dallas Spongberg's "No Agenda 33" demolition derby car are featured on the show's blog, sparking a discussion on the best vehicles for derby competition, such as a 1977 Lincoln.

Social dynamics at Austin gatherings are discussed, specifically the reaction to being a podcaster versus a former MTV personality. The conversation returns to the technical state of the Moonlight Towers, noting that while many remain, several have been lost to traffic accidents, cyclones, and rust.

The "Cheap Indian Bastard" returns with a donation and a request for karma for his father-in-law's heart recovery. The hosts discuss the lack of Indian donors and mention tech blogger Om Malik. Adam recounts being "shunned" by Malik after criticizing Vivek Kundra.