Anti-euthanasia… for the podcast

2010 March 2
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Podcast: Download

By Andy Kaiser
Article ID: 147

Hi everyone, Andy Kaiser here.

Okay, okay, okay! I hear you! I hear you… and you, and you and you and – don’t think I forgot – you!

I wrote the previous podcast intending to stop publication of the podcast itself. And, well… I’ll just skip the detail and get to the point: I’ve changed my mind. I’m not going to stop the podcast.

Why not? Because I learned a lesson. That lesson is: “just because you don’t hear anyone doesn’t mean you don’t have fans”. If you can’t parse the triple negative, it’s okay. I’m still not sure that sentence makes any sense. What I’m saying is that, since I never got feedback about the podcast before, I figured it didn’t have many dedicated fans.

Now, there’s a more dangerous counterpoint to that lesson. Something like, “if you don’t hear anyone, there may not be anyone there”. Luckily, in my case, that version appears not to be true. The Digital Bits Skeptic podcast does have regular dedicated listeners. Listeners who like it enough to tell me they didn’t want it shut down. They spoke up. And I heard them.

The new plan: I’m going to do something similar to what Aiden said in the previous article comments. That is, I’ll keep the podcast, and do everything I’ve been doing, but my publication times won’t be weekly. I’m not sure what that schedule is yet, if it’ll be regular or sporadic, but the podcast and articles will continue.

Thanks again to everyone who gave feedback supporting the podcast. You know who you are. While I don’t have room to thank everyone here and now, your feedback directly contributed to my keeping the podcast. For those who felt differently, I appreciate that information too. But, since I think I can still keep the podcast going with the revised publishing timeline, I’m going to try it.

Stay tuned.


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9 Comments leave one →
2010 March 3
Aiden permalink

You say that you’ve learned a lesson from this experience, and I think that it’s important that we as listeners/subscribers learn a lesson here as well.  We need to speak up more when there’s something we like, or it may go away before we can do anything about it.  It’s never really struck me until now.  In the past, I would wonder what drove people to actually call or write in to any particular show.  You always hear radio-show callers saying things like “long time listener, first time caller” or “hey man, I love the show” before getting into their questions or comments.  I’ve never really been one of those people, as I would generally assume that there’s so many other people writing or calling in, that my questions or comments would get lost in the noise.  But now I can better see the importance of feedback, even if what I say offers no constructive criticism or suggestion for show topics, etc.  That said, and I hope that I’m not out of line in saying this on behalf of all regular subscribers of your podcast:  Thanks, Andy.
 
Cheers,
Aiden

2010 March 3
Andy Kaiser permalink

Thanks, Aiden!

And, for the record, I feel the same way about everything you just said.

2010 March 3
Tim Danaher permalink

Hey, Andy…
 
I’ve only just discovered the podcast, cut me some slack!
Really enjoying dipping in through your back catalogue. I even put out a shout for you on rationalskepiticism.org (where a lot of the castaways from the Richard Dawkins forum have ended up), and where I described you as ‘A bit like Skeptoid, but with 150% more atheism!’)
Keep up the great work!
Tim

2010 March 3
Andy Kaiser permalink

Thanks, Tim, for the comments and free advertising!

You also bring up an interesting point, one that I hesitate to bring up: how to advertise a podcast? I don’t make any money on it, so any ad money I spend is directly out of pocket. I’ve tried promoting myself to other big names in the skeptical community, but haven’t had much luck. And, yes, I could ask the fans periodically to vote for me on whatever podcast aggregators are out there…. but that method to me seems lame. I know a lot of others do it, but that level of imposition always turns me off (I’m speaking as a listener).

So, it’s a conundrum, all right: Advertising a free product that will only get more expensive to produce as more fans roll in. …not what I’d call a successful business model. But it’s fun!

Andy

2010 March 3
Aiden permalink

Regarding advertising, aside from the Facebook group, you could join Atheist Nexus (it’s free) and post links in the different groups that might be interested in the show: Atheists who love Science, Skeptics, Winning Arguments, Humanists, Atheist News, etc.

2010 March 12
Allan Dixon permalink

I had only reciently acquired an Ipod (my wife upgraded hers) and stumbled accross the podcast section of Itunes. After signing up to the Skeptics guide to the universe I dug through every sceptical podcast I could find. Yours is one of my top 3.
I have a long drive to and from work every day and use the time to listen to back episodes of all of these excelent information sources. I simply do not have the time to view the web based content either at work or in my time at home with my wife and 3 kids. This delivery method of your content is far and away the most convient method of enjoying the topics that I thougt I was alone in believing. I have even asked for my next work vechile to come with Ipod conectivity so I don’t have to use my head phones any more.
Image my suprise as after enjoying your last 79 podcasts, back to back (usualy 3-5 eps at a time, to and from work,) when I here you anounce that there will be no more!
I have found listening to your development has a ‘broadcaster’ a most enjoyable aspect of the listneing experiance. There is a clear evloution of you technique, production quality, delivery and overall aural experiance which is eveident when your sum total of works in this medium are absorbed in this back to back maner.
I am greatly relieved to here that you will continue to produce the podcasts.
signed
Allan (a member of the unheard masses)
PS. your voice is not that bad. Seroiusly I had heard some podcasts that gave me microsleeps which, in combination with the dirving of a vechicle, was almost fatal. You have never nearly caused me to die.

2010 March 12
Andy Kaiser permalink

Allan,

Thanks for the positive review, and for speaking up from the “unheard masses” – I’m glad the writers and I can be a part of your day!

I’m also glad that you heard continual improvement over the years. For one with no broadcasting experience, it’s a difficult road, so I’m glad some of what I’m doing is getting noticeably better.

>You have never nearly caused me to die.

I don’t fully understand why, but I love this “compliment”. :)

Thanks!

Andy

2010 April 19
Mike permalink

Wow what an up an down day,while listening to my library of podcasts during my daily walk I heard a distressing podcast announcing the end of Digital Bits Skeptic podcast. I cringed and had a sense of loss, not wanting to lose that which I had recently found as an interesting and enlightening way to improve my mind while I try to improve my fitness and health. I was then delighted and my mood reversed to hear in the next podcast that the termination was rescinded because some listeners spoke up.
I have more time to listen to the podcast on my iPhone than I have to read the articles. Andy, I am one of those who do listen and we would miss the podcast version if  it died. Thanks from at least one more fan.  I believe the podcast meets your expectations and influences others to think critically and importantly helps show them how.   While I don’t always agree with your reasoning, it is hard to question your credibility and logic. I feel as though my mind has been sharpened after listening to your podcast.
Keep up the good work.
Mike

2010 April 21
Andy Kaiser permalink

Mike, thanks very much for the feedback – it’s great to read!

Andy

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