Topic: Podcast Change suggestions

[GodSlayer]

you can edit it yourself

You can't be serious. You manually edit the ID3 tags for mp3's that you're only going to listen to once?  "Too Much Spare Time" seems to be an understatement. 

no more difficult than quoting a post you're only going to post once.

[Eternally Learning]

you can edit it yourself

You can't be serious. You manually edit the ID3 tags for mp3's that you're only going to listen to once?  "Too Much Spare Time" seems to be an understatement. 

Just ignore GodSlayer Jon.  He spends a lot of time trying to be as rude as possible for some unknown reason.  Most of the more established users here have gotten into it with him on a few occasions about stuff like this, and most of us have him on ignore now.

[Beleth]

Beleth

Time to get back to suggesting podcast changes now.

[Eternally Learning]

Oh, I guess I didn't state outright that I like your idea too Jon.  Nice, simple, and effective.

[GodSlayer]

Most of the more established users here...have him on ignore now.^{[citation needed]}

FTFY

[Disappointed]

I'm in the camp to kill the WTN segment.

[Night Gremlin]

I know I was warned not to post "cast changes" in here, and hopefully this post toes the line between talking about a "cast change" and "cast behavior". I have listened since episode 1 and never felt the need to post anything before. If I get banned or something and this is the only thing I ever post, so be it I guess.

I can no longer subscribe to the SGU. It makes me very sad. It's a great podcast and I've been a fan since the start. One member's personal conduct outside of the SGU is something I don't approve of. For a certain amount of time this member has been someone I don't want to listen to, or support (financially or just as a member of their audience). But the member's conduct has always been kept OUT of the show.

Lately, this member's personal beliefs have encroached upon this member's sections of the show, and this member's bias forces this member to take stands on the show that are specifically against the standards of the show (i.e. when a study says something the member doesn't like about a certain demographic group, the member feel the need to denounce the study as unscientific even if there is no apparent reason to do so). This leads to a very uncomfortable listening experience at best, but at worst it actually undermines the very reason for the show to exist (to help people learn to think critically rather than just reinforcing the beliefs they already want to hold).

Steve has let it slide for a while, and probably rightly so. But it's gotten to the point where the integrity of the show is at stake. I believe this is a science/critical thinking podcast, not an atheism podcast or a women's rights podcast. If another member were using their time on the show to rehearse their stand-up material, I would feel the same way. The SGU is not any member's personal platform.

So as long as this member remains on the show, I'm going to have to part ways with it.

Sorry, SGU. I love the rest of the cast and I know this is an albatross around the neck of the show that there's no pleasant way to deal with. Keep up the good work and I do hope to hear you guys again someday.

In closing, I hope the tone and content of this post remained respectful and stayed within the bounds of the posting guidelines mentioned in the OP. Peace to all of you other listeners out there.

John

[peristaltor]

I hate that I have listened for years, and this is the one topic that drives me to the fora.

Am I the only one dismayed at the paid ad spots Steve and Jay did recently?  I'm not knocking their particular delivery (though it did, to quote the movie Clerks, sound about as natural as an oral bowel movement).  I'm distressed that they are turning fine information and entertainment into yet another media tainted by commercialism.

For the record, I will never, never, never visit Audible.  I like audio books, but I cannot support a venture that has tainted so many otherwise fine podcasts.  I dumped Sloopy and Derek for their ads and many, many other casters.  (On second thought, maybe I will visit Audible, if only to point out what fine programing they have ruined and to call them names.)  So much for "any ads are good ads," eh?

Hey, Rogues.  I know podcast popularity cuts both ways, becoming more expensive as the show grows listeners.  How about the most direct solution:  Let me give you money.  A few bucks to cover the storage and bandwidth is well worth the mental peace of mind for me.  All I ask in return is a guarantee for ad-free shows.  Let those who don't care listen to pitches for crap for the free content.  I gave over $400 this year alone to podcasts.  Heck, I bought a George Hrab album a few months ago that I haven't listened to, just to give him money.  On the flip side, I dump like a bad transmission any podcast that thinks a few seconds of my time to hear a dunning pitch is not too much to ask.  It really, really is.

[Caffiene]

How about the most direct solution:  Let me give you money.

There is a button on the front page of the SGU website that links to their store which has podcast subscriptions, premium episodes, a link to merchandise, and straight out paypal donations. Theyve mentioned it numerous times on the show, and at least some of those options have been there for years...

The option is already there and obviously people arent giving enough money to support the show without ads.

[seaotter]

How about the most direct solution:  Let me give you money.

There is a button on the front page of the SGU website that links to their store which has podcast subscriptions, premium episodes, a link to merchandise, and straight out paypal donations. Theyve mentioned it numerous times on the show, and at least some of those options have been there for years...

The option is already there and obviously people arent giving enough money to support the show without ads.

Is peristaltor offering to cover the amount of money that comes in from audible?

[GodSlayer]

Steve has let it slide for a while, and probably rightly so. But it's gotten to the point where the integrity of the show is at stake. I believe this is a science/critical thinking podcast, not an atheism podcast or a women's rights podcast.

they were doing atheism bits even when Perry was still around.

[peristaltor]

Is peristaltor offering to cover the amount of money that comes in from audible?

Not the entire amount in one contribution, no.  And even if I did, I would (as of now) have no guarantee that my contribution would eliminate the need for all future ad spots, so why would I?  That would just be silly.

I would be happy to contribute (let's say) double the out-of-pocket storage and delivery bandwidth cost to deliver the show to me ad-free for a year.  That's more than fair.  If it costs $2.50 a year to send me weekly hour-plus episodes, sign me up for a fiver.  Easy peasy.

Clarification:  Though I doubt they do, I don't mind the announcements of upcoming skeptical events and gatherings that align with the show's direct interests, just as I don't mind George Hrab's album/CD pushes.  Those are relevant.  I object to sponsorships that are so very obviously paid ad placements.

I've written many shows in the past to suggest they push Apple's Itunes to provide two parallel delivery systems, one with ad spots for free and another that requires a yearly subscription.  I've written to Itunes myself, but I am but a single small person.  Multiple podcasts with hundreds of thousands of listeners combined contacting them, that's another story.  I think there's a big bundle of money to be made in podcasting with that potential small contribution revenue stream added.

Again, where my mouth runs my money follows.  I do give money to podcasts, just not those that have chosen the paid spot route.  They get dropped.

[superdave]

I have no issue with the audible ads and I really don't see anyway that the ads taint the credibility of the show.  Audible is about as neutral a website as them come.

[GodSlayer]

I would be happy to contribute (let's say) double the out-of-pocket storage and delivery bandwidth cost to deliver the show to me ad-free for a year.  That's more than fair. 

If it costs $2.50 a year to send me weekly hour-plus episodes, sign me up for a fiver.  Easy peasy.

what if it only costs 5c, and having 50,000 per ep. downloads means it costs them $2,500 a year?

aren't you being price gouged?

[Shadow Of A Doubt]

I don't see a problem with ads for audible appearing in the podcast, heck it's not a real podcast if ads for audible don't appear in it's back catalogue somewhere.