The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
It's been a while since I've posted here, but I wanted to thank the Ricochet team for contributing to my continued mental stability while I am stuck on a small island in the frozen north ruled by a socialist government. I apologize if the following veers towards the maudlin.
I listen to a lot of podcasts during the week. I use a bicycle to get to and from work and I use the bus for longer travels within the city so I have some time to kill and podcasts do the job admirably. One of the podcasts I listen to is NPR's Radiolab. I know this grievous defect of character has forever ruined any chance of James Lileks having any regard for me as a connoisseur of spoken audio entertainment, as I assume that has no more respect for Jad Abumrad's radio voice than he has for that of Ira Glass.
Anyway.
In one of the episodes Robert Krulwich mentioned that listeners seem to develop a much closer relationship with the hosts of a radio show (or podcast) than they do with the hosts of a television show. When people see Jay Leno on the street they may stare and perhaps even ask for an autograph, but they don't feel as if they know him. Krulwich said however that people, who know him from radio, often approach him on the street and speak to him as if they're long lost friends.
I remembered this as I was listening to the latest Ricochet podcast when Rob and Peter were talking about Rob's pilot and for a split second I found myself thinking "if Rob gets this show off the ground I'll actually know someone who is making a TV series in the States!" (I know Rob has a long and impressive TV resume, but that doesn't count as it happened before I got to know him - I love Cheers though)
Similarly I was sitting in a restaurant in Reykjavík that is situated a stone's throw away from Höfði - the building where Reagan and Gorbachev met in 1986 - and I noticed that one of the dishes they serve is the exact same one as was served at the last dinner of the summit (lamb tenderloin with port gravy). I thought to myself "Peter would get a kick out of this".
Of course these are but fleeting thoughts but they illustrate how powerful spoken audio can be if it is executed correctly and if the hosts have a genuine interest in what they are doing and a regard for their audience. Rob, Peter and James have managed to make more of the Ricochet podcast than just an interesting podcast about politics - which it certainly is - but have also really connected with the listeners. Now that I have finally figured out how to get my Android smartphone to download the member podcasts I look forward to getting to know Senik, Yoo, Epstein, Delingpole and all the other excellent people on the other podcasts.
I'll write something fiercer and more antagonistically political next time, but until then - Rob, make me proud, Peter, if you're ever in Reykjavík you know where to get a good lamb dinner and James, I just hope you find it in your heart to forgive me my choice in audio amusement.
- Comment (30)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (4)
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
Comments :
Feb '11
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
At some point in the early 1950s, when radio was more influential than it now is but television was coming on fast, somebody asked a little boy whether he preferred radio or TV. His answer was that he preferred radio, "because the pictures are better."
Marshall McLuhan, IIRC, argued that radio is more emotionally involving precisely because of its sensory incompleteness.
Jul '10
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
It take more involved effort to listen than to see. Ask any spouse.That's why people feel closer to those that they listen to or listens to them.
Mar '11
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
A charming post, I can add nothing more Mr. Olafsson.
Aug '11
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
Bjarni, I share your sentiment. I have found radio (and now podcasts) to be a much more intimate and personal experience.
I think the audio format allows people to be themselves - by striking an interesting balance between playing/acting on the more rare (and therefore limiting) commodity that is TV/video and hiding completely behind anonymity (like I'm doing on this blog).
I became a fan of talk radio early in my life. Grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and had the opportunity to spend an occasional night in the early 60's at my grandparents house when I was in single digit age. There was a radio at head of the bed. I would listen to a program on KDKA called "Party Line" hosted by a husband and wife team - Ed and Wendy King.
It was live.. they would take calls from listeners, however, technology being primitive, listeners would only hear Ed or Wendy's end of the conversation. They would fill us in as they chatted.
It was unique a experience to that time in my life and enjoyable time to lay there listen.
Edited on Nov 16, 2011 at 9:33pmJun '10
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
Good to have you back. I was actually wondering where you went. I love having a perspective from Iceland. It's quite unique and very interesting. Meanwhile, I can absolutely attest to your thoughts about thinking that we know Peter and Rob.
Jan '11
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
The last few months have been hectic and, believe it or not, there comes a point in a journalist's working day when he has no more writing in him. My section at (my former) paper lost a few guys without replacing them so the workload increased ridiculously. I have recently moved to another paper and foresee more time and inclination to participate here.
Dec '10
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
Bjarni Olafsson I fell the same way, but had no idea that I did until I read your post. I feel like I know Rob. I feel like I have been to dinner with Peter. It is unreal how close I feel to these people I have never actually met and slightly unnerving I didn't even notice it.
Oct '10
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
You're right in the money Bjarni. Your post reminds me of a Poem by William Blake. This life’s dim windows of the soul Distorts the heavens from pole to pole And leads you to believe a lie When you see with, not through, the eye. When it comes to the visual media it seems the medium is the message.
Dec '10
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
They probably will not replace you, so your former colleagues will be squeezed even harder. They will grow to hate you;-)
Oct '10
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
What a timely post.
I live and work in San Juan, Puerto Rico 2-3 weeks per month, and on Tuesday, just 2 days ago, the National Review cruise stopped here for one of their ports-of-call. So I went to the NR cruise website to see who was on the ship - Lileks and Long and Goldberg and Steyn - and I thought, "Hey! I know these guys!! We should have lunch!"
I considered meeting the ship when it docked and greeting them...until the realization set in that...wait...no...I don't actually know these guys.
Then the thought of greeting the ship just felt creepy, like I'm little more than a groupie...which, come to think of it, I guess I am.
Damn. Shoulda met the ship.
Edited on Nov 17, 2011 at 8:56amMay '10
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
I get giddy on Wednesdays knowing that another Ricochet podcast will soon be accompanying me on my commute home from work, and I can say, "James' mind is faster than the speed of light, I hope Peter is feeling better, and where is Rob stealing internet access this week?"
However, Peter's deft interviews on UK have changed my wife's ideology...and her view of the world and politics. The gleeful laughter in response to Thomas Sowell last week made her happy. Not just because Dr. Sowell was so bright and witty, but to see the man responsible for the "tear down this wall" speech so enjoy the witticisms of a true American legend. It makes one feel privileged to witness this as a Ricochet member. I know UK isn't Ricochet, per se, but the vibe is the same. Here's hoping Ricochet goes viral next year...
May '11
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
I prefer reading to radio or podcasts.
I used to live in Iceland from 1975-1977 and went back for a brief visit in 1991. I love it there, but it is pretty thoroughly socialist. At least a lot more roads are paved now.
Jan '11
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
Were you serving at the base in Keflavík? If I am to be completely honest the country is a lot less socialist than it was in 1977 or even in 1991, but it is more socialist than it was in 2006. I just hope that the current government inoculates the voting public against socialism like the last left government did 20 years ago.
Feb '11
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
whatmeworry:
I became a fan of talk radio early in my life. Grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and had the opportunity to spend an occasional night in the early 60's at my grandparents house when I was in single digit age. There was a radio at head of the bed. I would listen to a program on KDKA called "Party Line" hosted by a husband and wife team - Ed and Wendy King.
I listened to Party Line every night when my parents thought I was asleep. EXpress 1-9038.
Sep '10
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
Bjarni, I know exactly how you feel. Before Ricochet came on the scene, I listened to James Lileks' podcast The Diner whenever it came down the intertubes, and Rob Long's Martini Shot just about every week. Like you, I sometimes feel as if I know these folks, and when Rob mentioned getting a biopsy on Martini Shot a few months ago, I actually got a little frightened. (The test results turned out to be good, according to Rob.)
So James, Rob and Peter, thanks for the podcasts, and do keep well. We look forward to each one.
Edited on Nov 17, 2011 at 9:31amRe: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
Peter's big laugh is one of the most cheering, delightful sounds to grace the airwaves. He also happens to be the most incisive (and charming) interviewer I've ever heard.
And I have a schoolgirl crush on Delingpole. Anyone who can be hilarious while telling us the world is going to hell in a handbasket is eminently crush-worthy, in my view.
Mar '11
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
Great post.
I spent the last 8 years living in Germany with few American contacts. After several years, I began developing a homesickness, not for American food or television or sports, but for a type of conversation I knew from home that I couldn't find abroad. It was then that I stumbled upon the Uncommon Knowledge website, and listening to my first one (with Justice Scalia) instantly transported me back home.
I immediately downloaded the entire archive and set aside a half hour every day to bask in that feeling of familiarity--a time of day my foreign-born wife soon referred to as me "hanging out with my American friends." And so it was.
May '11
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
No, my dad was serving there. I was only 12. I do have fond memories of your country though. Very rugged and beautiful.
May '10
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
I am so with you on everything you said.
"Now that I have finally figured out how to get my Android smartphone to download the member podcasts"
Can you tell me how to do this? I actually switched smartphones because the one I had before couldn't do it.
Re: The Spoken Word Is A Funny Thing
Yes, charming is just the word. And for what it's worth, my own experience validates Bjarni's comments. When Uncommon Knowledge was carried on PBS, people would sometimes stop me--not that often, I add, but sometimes--to say they recognized me. They felt they knew my face, not that they knew me. Sometimes they might be able to get as far as naming a guest who was on the show. But never--not once--was a single person ever to reconstruct a single topic or conversation. The Ricochet podcast is entirely different. Once in a big office building in Manhattan someone overheard me talking into my cellphone, stopped, said "I know that voice!", then told me in pretty considerable detail about our last several podcasts, including our guests, the arguments we'd had, and the jokes that James and Rob had cracked. He felt he knew me--and, come to think of it, he really did.
Bjarni, I hope to take you up on that Hofdi House dinner one day--and when you get to California, dinner's on me.