Manton Reece, Co-producer of the Core Intuition podcast and developer of tools for the open Web, recalls his earliest podcasting experiments. Topics include: experimenting with podcast-related tools, failed experiments with video podcasts, changes and challenges of sponsorships, crossover and connection with Micro.blog, challenges faced by independent developers, and introducing podcasting on Micro.blog.
Podcasts offer a more personal and connected listening experience compared to traditional media.
Micro.Blog aims to reclaim content ownership on the web and foster healthier communities.
Deep dives
Getting into Podcasts and the Early Days of Podcasting
The speaker discusses their initial interest in podcasts, which developed from following blogging since the early days. They mention the experiment they conducted with a tool called 'Podcast Shuffle' that randomly generated podcast feeds from directories. The speaker also talks about their own early podcasting experience, recording a few episodes with scripted content and a storytelling format. They also touch on the start of their current podcast, Corn Tution, in collaboration with another individual from the Mac and iOS developer community.
Importance of On-Demand Audio and the Appeal of Podcasting
The speaker emphasizes the allure of on-demand audio and the natural progression from blogs to audio blogs, or podcasting. They highlight the convenience of listening to podcasts during various activities like walking, driving, or doing chores. The speaker notes how podcasts felt new and exciting, as well as a way to engage with content offline and away from screens. They also mention the appeal of experimentations with video podcasts, and how podcasts offer a more personal and connected listening experience compared to traditional media.
Discoverability and Serendipity in the Early Days of Podcasting
The speaker reflects on the early days of podcasting when finding podcasts was often a serendipitous experience. They mention stumbling upon podcasts that they wouldn't typically seek out, discussing examples like a friend's radio-style show and a European priest's podcast about daily life. The speaker acknowledges the challenges of discoverability in today's saturated podcast landscape and how the evolution of podcast directories may have diminished accidental discoveries. They also draw parallels to the idea of their own experimental tool, Podcast Shuffle.
The Journey of Micro.Blog and the Vision for the Open Web
The speaker delves into their ongoing project, Micro.Blog, and discusses the core vision of the platform. They emphasize the importance of ownership and reclaiming content on the web, allowing individuals to have more control and move their content across different platforms. They advocate for social networks of smaller scale that can actively foster healthier communities. The speaker shares their belief in the indie web community, open protocols, and the concept of the open web. They express their dedication to Micro.Blog, which they see as the culmination of their career and passions.
Manton recalls his earliest podcasting experiments, then shares his personal experiences in co-producing the Core Intuition podcast and developing tools for the open Web.
Martin is a paid subscriber of Manton Reece’s Core Intuition membership program and his paid service, Micro.blog; this did not influence any of the questions that were asked and did not place any expectations on Manton as a participant of this academic podcasting project.
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