Although, I'm sure that's the goal of the project and the ultimate hope.

I love her writing style, it reminds me more of a manifesto. I recognize that it is a blog, it's just so refreshing compared to the literary journals I'm used to reading.

Also, by stating "we are not the experts" it presents this level of transparency, which is aids refuting any possible criticism.

I feel as though we see this happen time and time again... new forms of media get developed and introduced into a competitive market... they prove their worth, overcome the odds and become successful... and then big corporations swoop in and buy them out.

For example. in 2012 Facebook pain an astounding $1 Billion to acquire Instagram. At the time, FB understood where the market was headed and prepared to stay relevant to its new clientele. This is not a new occurrence, and its limits the playing field, to only a few players... (keeping with the sports reference).

This can happen internally as well, in this case, popular company's or influencers gain traction within the world of podcasting (for example) and their content can overshadow smaller, niche content on there numbers alone.

I think it's interesting to note that a good story's a good story form the brain's perspective, whether it's audio, video or text... And audio is one of the most intimate forms of media because it encourages us to constantly build the image of the story in our minds - you simply can't get that from visual media. And so, we've seen this new medium really take hold, as it presents this unique exchange value that you can't get from anywhere else.

I'd like to consider myself an avid Podcast listener, and so, there seems to be a slight contrast in podcasts (or stand along episodes even) that are hosted by 2+ people, compared to a podcast the is hosted by one individual.

In my experience, the podcasts that are hosted by one person are often either done in a narrative fashion, or the podcast utilizes guests as a form of influence - more or less. And then sometimes, when I listen to a podcast hosted by one individual, solely, it just seems like something is missing...

Who's to say one style is better than the other though... of course.

PESTLE is used as a tool by companies to track the environment they're operating in or are planning to launch a new project/product/service, etc.

P - political E - economic S - social T - technological L - legal E - environmental

SWOT analysis us a useful technique for understanding your Strengths and Weaknesses, and for identifying both the Opportunities open to you and the Threats you face.

This reminds me of how I became interested with comics in the first place... it was a happenstance of stumbling across a small comic book store on Granville. I entered the store, and there was something just so cool about it - even the smell. From this perspective, having comics in stores vs. online allows potential customers a greater likelihood to stumble across something they would be receptive to.

This is a super interesting point... This makes me think of the "order trackers" that are sent via email. When you order an item online, you're given an online tracking number to "stay up to date" with where exactly your order is. However, the only information this often incorporates is: Package prepped, sent, (still sending), (still sending... again *know once actually knows where it is, shhh), and arrived... the in between is all very ominous.

Perhaps its because we often fall ignorant, or its simply not a point of contention? As long as we receive the package within a timely manner, the 'how' is less important. Whatever the case, I wonder why this is the default...

I wonder what role Amazon has to play in all this... For example, Amazon has the power (not surprisingly) to distribute comic books directly, which cuts out the middle man. This provides Amazon with a larger share of revenues on both their original properties, and those of independents who self-publish.

1. "Despite [its] growth, podcasting does not seem to have crossed the line into the mainstream, with both radio and streaming music services accounting fora larger ''share of ear'' (Edison et al, 2014).

This article was written three years ago, and so, many of its references and statistics are taken from 2012-2014 (over eight years ago!). Today, would you consider podcasts "mainstream" or "niche." Why?

2. "In 2012, the wealth of content that was being created at the thin end of what Anderson calls "the long tail." Conversely, this meant that the head of the tail represented the "hits." These hits were created by services, brands, and individuals with public profiles. In this light, "podcasting is just another form of distribution" (Berry, 2015).

In its early days, podcasts were considered a true "uncontrolled space" where amateurs could compete equally with traditional media. Since, if podcasts are considered a "mainstream," embodying "just another form of distribution" does this strip away what made them great to begin with? Why or why not?

3. ''Serial spurred conversation like few other stories…. There was plenty to disagree about, and many questions to ask…. All of these things are good ingredients for the conversations that one can build a podcast around'' (Personal communication, 2015).

This exert begs the question, are there certain "ingredients" that can be mixed together to warrant success, through podcasts or another medium? Was serial a phenomenon or was its success due to strategic implementation? What elements can we apply to other projects or mediums to aid in generating awareness and ultimate "success"?

4. *Richard Berry concludes his article by stating "Serial is a significant but not necessarily a defining moment [within a cultural context]."

Do you agree with his conclusion?

5. "Indeed, while the Internet may be supplementing traditional broadcasting rather than replacing it (Ibid, p. 249), and while there may be a point at which audiences choose Internet delivered content over live linear broadcasting, that point has not yet arrived" (Berry, 2015).

Do you think it will one day?

All things considered, what do you think? Do you agree or disagree?

Would you consider 'Instagram Lives' and 'Facebook lives' as a contradiction to this statement?

As current events would have it, perhaps we are making return to this model, it simply looks different?

Post-Netflix, I feel as though "binging" media is not out of the ordinary. In fact, it's a term simply tossed of the cuff. There is also such an intense fandom culture now, that a "rigorous adherence schedule" is maintained, and further perpetuated by online communities.

There's also this feeling of either not wanting to feel left out, or not wanting content spoiled.

This would be corroborated by the fact that almost two years after the series ended, it is number 19 of the Top Podcast charts - an impressive feat, to say the least.

Is an American weekly hour-long radio program produced in collaboration with Chicago Public Media and hosted by Ira Glass. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also features essays, memoirs, field recordings, short fiction, and found footage.

It's important to note that the series finale episode of 'Serial' was released on March 31, 2016, almost two years ago... and yet, remarkably, the podcast is number 19 of the 'Top [Podcast] Charts" presently. (An incredible accomplishment, given that the podcast arena is competitive.)

This reminds me of Instagram's relatively new algorithm...

Do you think it will one day?

Truer words have never been spoken.

I wonder if podcasting would have gained the level of attention it has now, if not for modern day technology's affordances... I doubt it, but the potential is there.

Four years later, is this still the case?

This statement is especially gloomy, but it's importance cannot be overstated.

According to Richard Berry, podcasts are still not considered "mainstream media." And yet, at the same time, they are are "merely another form of distribution."

Presently, do you think they are still intended for "amateurs to compete with traditional media?" Why, or why not?

It would be interesting if we could get our hands on present day, international stats...

Still, check out these 20 stats about the podcast consumer released just over a year ago: https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2017/04/20-stats-about-the-2017-podcast-consumer.html

This exert is particularly interesting when you take into account the historical context. Accordingly, the term "podcast" is a portmanteau word, formed by combining "iPod" and "broadcast." The use of the term predated Apple's addition of firm support for podcasting to the iPod, or even its iTunes software. Ultimately, lawyers for Apple contended that the term "pod" has been used by the public to refer to its music player so extensively that is falls under Apple's trademark cover.... Later, on November 16, 2016, the Apple Trademark Department stated that "Apple does not objet to the third-party usage of the generic term 'podcast' to accurately refer to podcasting services" and that "Apple does not license the term."

Since I started listening to podcasts, and then listening to the radio, I often find myself comparing the two mediums. For example, I find morning radio (especially) very podcast-esque. The hosts discuss relevant topics, take calls, offer advice, have guests and often tell stories from their personal lives. Many podcasts I listen to follow a similar structure.

This article notes that podcasts were once an "extension of radio." Presently, it would seem as though radio is an extension of podcasts. Or, perhaps they exist symbiotically... what do you think?

Because, "to look at something is to change is and be changed by it." - Madeleine L'Engle

Do you think there's certain precursors that can lead to a podcasts success, or do you think Serial was a phenomenon? Or both?

'99% Invisible' was an independently produced radio show created by Roman Mars that focused on design and architecture. Version of the show are distributed for broadcast by a number of radio stations, and as a podcast as part of the Radiotopia network.

This is so important, comparing the history of podcasts from its inception as a struggling medium to... several meta podcasts covering one, singular podcast is astounding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss4ZYcVwuZg There are SO many popular culture references and other media coverage... I would highly recommend looking through them if you have time!

For 'True Detective,' each season of the series was structures as a disparate, self-contained narrative, employing new cast ensembles and following various sets of characters and settings.

In the context of data storage, serialization is the process of translating data structures or object state into a format that can be stored or transmitted and reconstructed later.

A podcast, or generically Netcast, is an episodic series of digital audio or video files which a user can download and listen to. (It is distinct from Internet radio, which involves streaming rather than downloading.)

This particular manifesto, as compared to the other two, appears more in a format we are used to. And so, it makes us less uncomfortable, arguably. I wonder what the effectiveness of each is, as they are all presented differently. I would love to get my hand on those stats... maybe Amazon has them? ;)

It's almost bizarre how different each manifesto can be... it can take different forms, much like the contested topics their engaging. Take this piece, and then compare it to "Femme Sharks," it's like night and day. From the language, to the layout, to the style... each unique, in every way.

It's very poetic, as if following a structured flow... it's powerful. I feel as though language like this is not often seen in papers and mainstream media. It's incredibly descriptive, and unapologetic. I realize it's often contested, but I'm drawn to it.

I just re-read this piece, it's definitely appears more niche, but I think it's brilliant. I also love the discussion and critique from other students - they definitely raise some interesting points I would have never considered.

It's brass, sometimes slightly offensive, all over the place at times, confident, and unapologetic in every way. While manifestos are often critiqued for YELLING IN YOUR FACE, it gets the point across, and isn't that the point? At the end of the day, it's like any other medium - it's striving to communicate a particular message using a medium that it's intended audience is most likely to see and engage with.

It's definitely something else, but it's not-so-simply striving for equality for all. At the same time, I would be remiss to not point out that it does seem fairly hypocritical at points...

This is yet another example of social capital stemming from who you know, and where you come from.

Today, the "celebrity status" of a writer, journalist, performer, etc., still works as a form of social capital. During the Spanish Civil War, the ability to acquire such capital was left to the elites or the other select few. Since, given the emergence of participatory communications (such as YouTube or Instagram) one's ability to gain social capital and therefore influence has been reimagined... What effect has this phenomenon had on our current political landscape, or journalism (more specifically)?

This reminds me of Oprah's book club decals, or "Heather's Pick" (Indigo's CEO) decals - while the decal itself doesn't directly communicate an "ideological correctness," it does however, serve as a stamp of approval (that comes from a credible source). Presently, books that are presented with such a decal are more likely to be successful, as they are marketed more effectively.

I acknowledge that this is geared towards America, however, as a Canadian I find it interesting that I've never heard of Frederick Douglas (or his influence) until my fifth year of University - I believe circulating these texts (and others like it) would supply an interesting perspective to young high students (and others alike), who can then begin to reflect more critically on colonial super powers.