Topic: Rss Feeds

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discuss the inherent value of podcast RSS feeds and subscriber lists after a host's death, citing the continued activity on Scott Adams' and Charlie Kirk's feeds. They joke about their own "exit strategy" and remind listeners to support the show via the value-for-value model ahead of Valentine's Day.

The hosts discuss the origins of podcasting, refuting claims that Tom Green or others invented the medium before the development of the RSS feed with enclosures. Adam Curry explains that the technology was designed to allow computers to download content automatically over slow connections. They emphasize that the RSS standard is crucial for creator control and protection against platform demonetization.

A critique of the "podcast industrial complex" argues that YouTube is not a true podcasting platform because it lacks the decentralized nature of RSS feeds. Bill O'Reilly's definition of a podcast—distinguished by "tattoos and dirty sneakers"—is mocked as the industry grapples with the shift from independent audio to centralized video platforms.

The "Value for Value" model encourages listeners to support independent media through direct donations of time, talent, and treasure. Hosts advocate for the use of modern podcast apps that utilize the open Podcast Index rather than centralized platforms like Apple or Spotify, which have been known to censor or skip episodes. These independent apps allow for features like real-time art updates and chapter-specific content.

Spotify is launching a new strategy to compete with YouTube by paying creators for video podcast views and offering ad-free video to subscribers. However, industry experts warn that this move toward centralized video platforms threatens the open RSS feed model of podcasting. By hosting video directly, platforms gain more control over content and advertising, potentially leading to increased de-platforming and loss of creator independence.

Apple has begun automatically generating transcripts for podcasts that do not provide their own, a move that the hosts suggest may have copyright implications. They advocate for the Podcasting 2.0 standard, which allows creators to include their own transcripts in the RSS feed. The discussion highlights the benefits of modern podcast apps, such as faster updates and chapter support, over the default Apple and Spotify platforms.

The hosts process a final round of donations, including a "Damehood" for Lydia Terry Dominelli. A listener's question prompts a "Podfather" judgment on whether a show is a "true podcast" if it lacks an RSS feed; the host rules that the RSS feed is the defining technical requirement. The segment also addresses claims by Tucker Carlson regarding Joe Rogan's role in the history of podcasting.

The hosts address a growing media narrative that "podcasting is dead" and has been replaced by YouTube. They argue this is a coordinated effort to move creators onto centralized platforms like Spotify and Apple, where content can be easily censored via Terms of Service violations. They emphasize the importance of independent RSS feeds and the "Value for Value" model.

A discussion on the excessive length of Substack articles suggests that writers like Glenn Greenwald and Naomi Wolf suffer from a lack of editorial restrictions. A proposal is made for a "remix" feature on Substack that would allow professional editors to condense and republish long-form posts as a public service.

The Tech Against Terrorism podcast discusses how the decentralized nature of RSS feeds allows "extremist" creators to bypass the content moderation of platforms like Spotify and Apple. The hosts mock the researchers for only recently discovering that podcasting was designed to be independent of centralized gatekeepers. The ability to "throw a file up" and reach a global audience is described by the NGO as a "subversive" distribution model.

NewsGuard announced plans to begin rating the "trustworthiness" of 200 popular podcasts in 2024 to help advertisers avoid content containing misinformation. The hosts criticize this move as an attempt to exert editorial control over the medium. They also highlight a Daily Mail report mislabeling a non-RSS-based extremist broadcast as a "podcast," arguing that the term is being weaponized against independent media.

The No Agenda website has been updated by developer Tim Gaudrian to include new Podcasting 2.0 features, such as automatic RSS updates and chapter sharing. In personal news, one of the hosts detailed the recovery process from major dental surgery, including the use of the sedative Halcyon. The host returned to broadcasting just days after the procedure despite initial pain and swelling.

Rachel Maddow has launched a new podcast titled "Ultra," which focuses on 1940s-era true crime and political extremism. The show critiques the production, noting that Maddow has used "feed takeovers" from Chris Hayes to bolster her numbers. There is also a broader discussion on the definition of a "genuine" podcast versus repurposed radio content, specifically regarding Dan Bongino and Apple's platform policies.

The history of the No Agenda art generator is traced from Drupal and Drop.io to its current iteration maintained by Sir Paul Couture. Technical hurdles with Apple Podcasts' RSS requirements are discussed, specifically the mandate for 2000x2000 pixel images.

Apple's new podcast monetization system launched with a major bug that caused many independent podcasts to disappear from the directory. The technical failure highlights the importance of the independent Podcast Index as Apple's API changes broke third-party apps like Overcast.

Spotify appears to be struggling with its strategy to corner the podcast market, as Joe Rogan's original RSS feed has been reactivated to post clips. Despite the exclusive deal, Rogan is again posting content to YouTube, suggesting that Spotify is having difficulty converting listeners to its proprietary app. This move is seen as a sign that the "walled garden" approach to podcasting is failing.

The hosts review the artwork for episode 1320, highlighting the "Quarantine Dodgers" and "Year of the Bull" themes. They discuss a rejected show title, "Flux d'Etat," which was discarded due to technical issues with the "accent aigu" character in RSS feeds and Apple's podcast directory. The "Value for Value" model is credited for the high quality of community-contributed art.

The No Agenda Show was removed from Spotify following a series of emails regarding podcaster portals and dashboard registrations. After attempting to claim ownership of the feed via a support link, a copyright claim requirement was presented, which was ignored. The removal is attributed to Spotify shoring up agreements with creators to enforce strict licensing and terms of service.

A technical error occurred where the "Mo' Facts with Adam Curry" feed was accidentally published to the No Agenda RSS feed, causing confusion for some subscribers. Listeners are advised to unsubscribe and resubscribe if their podcast apps are still showing the incorrect episodes. The mistake is jokingly compared to Bill Gates' historical attempts to consolidate power within Microsoft.

Joe Rogan announced a multi-year licensing agreement to move the Joe Rogan Experience exclusively to Spotify by the end of 2020. The move is analyzed as a strategic shift to avoid YouTube's increasing censorship of COVID-19 content and to secure a stable platform following the de-platforming of Alex Jones. Concerns are raised regarding the loss of the open RSS feed and the potential impact on Rogan's cultural relevance.