To cast or not to cast?
September 25, 2017 § 45 Comments
One of the best things about writing a mostly-regular blog is that it keeps you in shape. One of the worst things about writing a mostly-regular blog is that it looms over you each day until it’s finished, like a giant safe suspended over your genitals, ready to be dropped should you fail to bang out the requisite half-baked thought or meaningless musing.
Of course as a friend pointed out, “You don’t have to do it,” but that’s mostly like telling a drunk “You don’t have to take another drink,” when it is very much in the nature of being a drunk that yes, in fact, you do, else you will no longer be one.
A while back a different friend called and suggested I do a podcast. I was dismissive. “Where the fuck am I going to get the time for that?” [Side note: It’s weird that friends don’t call me up very often.]
Anyway, my eldest son started a most excellent podcast dedicated to Magic the Gathering in Austria, and it warmed the cockles of my heart to see that my offspring had decided to focus on a microcosm within a niche within a microfissure that was, if anything, potentially more narrowly focused than delusional profamateur avid recreational cycling in the South Bay of Los Angeles.
“Have you ever thought of doing a podcast?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, but didn’t add the “Where the fuck am I going to get the time for that?”
I listened to his podcast and liked it and thought I would give it a try. “It can’t be any harder than blogging,” I thought, “and it can’t be any less interesting.”
Now I’ve completed my third Low Fidelity Podcast and can say that podcasting isn’t any harder than blogging, but it isn’t any easier, and it sure takes a lot more equipment. You also don’t get any do-overs unless you have that thing called “time,” and those things called “editing skills” and that thing called “patience.”
Several people politely said they like the first two Low Fidelity Podcasts, and several people politely said they didn’t, but since only a couple of them were actual $2.99 subscribers, I took it all with a rather large grain of IDGAF. Going forward, I’ll try to do a little of both paying great attention to those who pay and studiously ignoring the deadbeats. The variety of talk/write is easier on my brain, and switching from broadcasting to blogging and back again takes my eye off the dangling safe, if ever so slightly.
So here’s Low Fidelity Podcast #3: World champions? (Please don’t pay attention to my stomach gurgling noises, thank you.)
END
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Cycling in the South Bay 
Some of those who show up, win.
CitSB is your blog, Seth, and you have the right to communicate with your audience however you wish. I am sure that podcasting is more efficient and gives your brain and fingers a rest. From my end, it takes longer to listen to a podcast than to read a post. Since I am a grateful and faithful consumer I’ll refrain from criticism.
Thanks! In terms of time, blogging is actually faster. There is no technology between the writing and the publishing, other than old-fashioned editing. I’m going to experiment with doing both. There’s a Venn diagram somewhere for blog readers/podcast listeners, probably with a very witty little something-or-other where the two overlap.
I haven’t listened to your podcasts yet and I am sure they are as good as your always enjoyable writing. The challenge for me is I can read your stuff in a clandestine manner. But as soon as I put you on speaker or through ear buds I have to answer too many questions under bright lights while strapped to a chair. As soon as I find a comfortable closet I’m sure I’ll join the newer age. Heck I don’t even battery powered shifters yet. Please at least keep up your keyboard skills in the meantime. .. gotta go somebody’s behind me.
Thanks. I appreciate the feedback, a lot.
I agree with Cliff: Wearing ear buds while on the toilet is bad form.
Sign above toilet: Please flush. Toilet paper only. No ear buds.
Podcasts require a time commitment that way exceeds the time required to read the blog. Podcasts also require me to be somewhere where I can listen uninterrupted. To avoid annoying anyone close by ear buds are required. The blog I can read standing in line at the post office. And in those cases where the blog has something exceptionally on target I can easily cut and paste it and send to someone urging them to subscribe. Can’t do that with the podcast. Your blog, your call. But this is podcast #3 and I have yet to listen to #1.
I just listened to the podcast. Aside from the tremendous disappointment that your voice does NOT sound like Casey Kasem, as I’d imagined, I thought it was pretty good.
Alas, you will find me with Waldo: I prefer the cadence and time commitment to read written words rather than listening to audio. Probably won’t listen to many podcasts, but will continue to pay the exorbitant monthly sub for the awesome written word. It’s my morning ritual while drinking covfefe. Thanks!
Thanks, John. It’s not going to be either/or. The other fact is that people read and subscribe to the blog because it’s written, not spoken. And I’m basically a reader as well, ergo a writer and blogger.
I also appreciate that it may well be easier for you to do a podcast. However, I haven’t ever been very appreciative of listening to them, so I hope you don’t do them often.
It’s really not easier.
Podcasting is carbon, 100% carbon with Strava interface and disc brakes and a Garmin watch –
Blogging is an old steel frame with downtube shifters and straight water instead of mix –
I like the blogging better – Plus I can’t select, copy / paste your funny stuff and use it as my own if it is podcast –
Either way I’m on board –
I’m going to keep writing as the daily mainstay, but will also add in podcasts as time/energy permit. Thanks for the input!
I started cycling at 40 ! I like the podcasts I can get things done like make breakfast and pack lunches whilst listening to you and kids get a listen too 🙂
Gonna try to do both …
I thought about it yesterday while riding. I think podcasting may be tougher. To date, the p’casts haven’t been as funny nor as tight as your writing. Yep, they get the point across but when you’re able to educate, embellish and edit, I think it’s better. I appreciate your cadence in writing, your written voice is great. Perhaps with some more experience, it’ll be better, so if it really moves you to talk, then talk. But I really like and appreciate reading.
I’m noticing a trend here …
Your blogging has more energy than your podcasting. I also can’t skim through the podcasts to find the juicy parts about Jay and Bert. And why the hell did I have a nightmare about your blog last night?
I will check with Blogbot 5.29.0 on that last question.
Have really enjoyed the podcasts, thanks for adding those!
You’re welcome!
Podcasting from bed, you’re just channeling your inner Truman “I can’t think unless I’m lying down” Capote.
Hahahaha!
Waldo, Cliff and jfm225 expressed my feelings very well, so I won’t echo their words except to confirm that I also prefer the blog. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want a giant safe suspended over my genitals, so if ya gotta cast, ya gotta cast.
Room for both, and the safe is dangling regardless. But priority blog …
I enjoy both. It’s easy to set up the podcast to listen on my commute where I can’t read. The blog is great fun too though, so I’ll keep up the subscription and enjoy it.
Thank you!!!
Absolutely love the podcasts! You’ve got a great insight into the sport and it’s very enjoyable listening to you.
Thanks!
Not a cast fan either, for the reasons well expressed by others above.
Thanks!
Keep blogging – I don’t listen to podcasts (it’s not personal I don’t listen to anyone – so my family, friends and co-workers tell me).
I’m sensing a trend …
Hello Wanky,
I like the speed and surety of the written word.
Podcasts to me are half a loaf and a yuge time waster.
Go full video, even if you are just a talking head, or maybe while riding your bike ……. and perhaps the video will sell.
Get with the future and ease into Augmented Reality.
I am not opinionated but anybody who thinks otherwise is wrong.
Good luck!
I have a few things to say about this:
1) I list this first because its the most important to me. In a poscast there is nothing for me to edit. Like for example first paragraph “is that >>is<< looms". I will miss that unless you throw bones to this dog in the textual lead-up to the blog.
2) Listening via the wordpress smartphone app, or perhaps just in a smartphone browser, the application doesn't take ownership of the resource, and once the screen locks, the audio stops until you re-open/unlock the screen. This could be changed if it was published via a podcast manager which does take over the audio resource. A minor issue here, is that when I am listening, I feel like I can multi-task (if not driving) and check mail or something, but as soon as the hosting app is swapped out, the audio stops.
3) I guess that since the Masters Track World Championships are coming to LA this fall, and soon, and they will be in your backyard, I suppose it is possible for any hop-in wanker to simply register. There is no requirement that only National Masters Track champions need apply, however, when they are held in Manchester England, usually only the National Champs from this country bother going. That said, I have found that while not always true, while ex-elite aged track people don't necessarily join in the fun, it doesn't mean that the quality of racing at the Masters events isn't top notch. There are some really really strong masters riders on the track, just as you know there are strong masters riders in all the masters road events. Most of the best are almost always ex 1,2 or in some cases ex-national pros. The format on the track offers the ability to segment the racing by age group, though if you think you can compete in the younger group there is no rule that forbids your participation. Some years there are results where the 50+ team pursuit is a faster time than the 45+. Most races are over pretty quick, so one group rolls off, and the next group rolls on. There are also heats for many of the races as well.
4) I too noticed that if you are still racing at age 80, you may have outlived most of your competition, and you will stand the chance to actually become a World Champion.
Cheers!!
Cheers back at you! Noted re: the podcast freeze-up; thanks.
When I saw that your first podcast was from bed and that it was about a crash, I was concerned that it was a forced method of communication. Glad that this appears to not be the case.
Hahaha! Thanks!
My initial re-action was, Seth you are going to burn in hell for this, then I remembered a couple of things, and all is not lost.
i. I can can turn down the volume in the crapper while enjoying your S#1t while I s#1t.
ii. I now have the option of listening in the car.
iii. Even though I can no longer enjoy them in peace, so far they have not been S#1t and I expect them to get better as you get more proficient in this new media format *.
iv. There is no Hell.
v. There is a small part of the Amazon rain forest devoted to self help books, whose key tennant is embrace the new.
vi. So all I need is to buy a cheap fixie and can boast about my 4th in an age group masters pacifier spitting and pedaling creche.
* no pressure but there is $2.99 a month at stake don’t forget.
No pressure? It will be a cold day in the hell that doesn’t exist before I give up $2.99/mo.
Seeking alternate platforms for Low Fidelity PC now.
Best thing about ‘casting, is that you now seem to have one more subject about which to blog. Win-win!
Perpetual time elimination machines.
I too enjoy the pen and ink, as it were. With a podcast there’s no way I could have read the “Day Moves” blog eight times. It’s my favorite…classic Seth move.
Thanks!