Topic: Google Reader

The discontinuation of Google Reader is cited as an example of tech giants forcing users into controlled social media environments rather than open protocols. Modern browsers like Safari and DuckDuckGo are criticized for obfuscating the URL bar to prioritize search products over direct web navigation. This shift is viewed as a defensive move to keep users within proprietary app ecosystems.

The hosts discuss the advancement of audio searchability through tools like Bingit.io, which allows users to search transcripts of podcast episodes. They contrast this with the NGO's claim that discovering audio content is a "challenge." The conversation touches on the history of RSS and how it survived Google's attempt to kill the technology by shuttering Google Reader.

The hosts debate the implications of repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which provides liability protection for internet platforms. While some argue its removal would destroy the internet, the hosts suggest a return to decentralized blogs and RSS feeds would be a viable alternative to censored social media networks. They recount how Google killed the independent feed ecosystem by shutting down Google Reader in favor of centralized "feeds."

The hosts discuss the history of Google Reader and Google's attempt to kill RSS in favor of centralized control. They explore decentralized alternatives like Mastodon and the new Nostr protocol (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays), which is being supported by Jack Dorsey. Curry notes that Nostr is still in early development but has potential for a "value-for-value" financial model.

Google has a long history of failed social media attempts, including Orkut, Buzz, and Google Plus. Orkut was notably successful in Brazil before being shut down, while Google Plus failed to gain traction against Facebook. The hosts suggest that Google could regain public favor and damage its competitors by bringing back Google Reader and fully supporting RSS, which would empower independent bloggers and podcasters.

The relationship between advertising and free speech is examined, with the assertion that advertising acts as a default form of censorship. The discussion contrasts open protocols like RSS with centralized platforms, noting that Google Reader was discontinued because the company could not control the underlying protocol. Listeners are encouraged to move away from centralized services to maintain digital freedom.

The hosts complain about the removal of RSS feeds from the redesigned White House website, making it difficult to track official updates. They discover that Donald Trump appears to have stopped recording the traditional weekly presidential address in early 2017. They speculate that he prefers Twitter because the media used his recorded addresses against him.

The hosts argue that tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Twitter are actively trying to kill RSS feeds to maintain control over user data and advertising. They discuss the "RSS is dead" media narrative and how they have moved their own social networking primarily to email, using hashtags in subject lines to organize information.

A personal anecdote describes a frustrating interaction with AT&T customer service regarding international data roaming charges for an iPhone. The host joked with the representative that the NSA would have a record of their agreement to waive potential fees. Additionally, listeners are reminded that Google Reader is shutting down and are encouraged to export their subscription lists in OPML format.

A review of personal podcast subscriptions reveals a mix of mainstream and independent content, including the BBC News Pod, Howard Stern, and various tech-focused shows. Some users prefer "hunter-gatherer" style manual downloads of lectures and marketing conferences, while others rely on automated RSS feeds. Shorter-form content like the New York Times front page is often used for quick daily updates.

To avoid the burnout associated with high-frequency posting, many successful bloggers have transitioned to "team blogging" models. This approach ensures a constant stream of content, which is necessary to keep readers returning in an era of RSS readers like Google Reader. By aggregating multiple voices under one brand, a blog can maintain high traffic without exhausting a single author.