www.JaneYouIgnorantSlut.com

Older readers will remember the “Point/Counterpoint” segment on 60 Minutes. The liberal Shana Alexander would sqauare off against the conservative James J. Kilpatrick (they tried it again in 2003 with Clinton and Dole but it sucked).

My pals Darin, John and Scott are talking about doing a podcast based (loosely) on this idea. Darin is somewhere out in William F. Buckley land and John sort of neo-sixties liberal. I think Scott will serve as moderator. I’m trying to be supportive but… I don’t know. We’ve heard so much polticial talk in recent years, it feels like it’s all been said. Which suggests a different approach.

The lads make a list of the 25 most important issues facing the country. They each go into a studio and record 2 minute rants on each topic and plug the audio files into an online database (at “JaneYouIgnorantSlut.com”).

Visitors select a news story from one of the top five of the day (“George Bush visits Afghanistan and Pakistan”)…click a button…the website generates ten questions and randomly selects 10 rants from each pundit…and strings it altogether. Instant podcast!

The guys won’t have to sweat over a hot microphone every week and no one will ever know.

Local ink for LHP

News TribuneThe local newspaper did a nice feature story on The Living Healthy Podcast, complete with some nice pix of Dr. Domke and his Faithful Indian Companion. The sub-head (“Domke joins growing number of doctors who offer advice via podcast”) seemed like a bit of a stretch. I’m unaware of any physicians in mid-Missouri who are podcasting. In fact, if you know of any podcasting docs anywhere in the state, send me a link.

The reporter who wrote the piece, Natalie Fieleke, was trying to find something of a trend here and had to reach a bit to find any medical podcasts (Johns Hopkins, Arizona Heart Institute, Mayo Clinic, etc). But that’s okay. I think Henry is just early to the dance on this. As of this posting, it doesn’t appear the article is on the News Tribune website. If I find it, I’ll add a link.

The goal of our little podcast is to provide information to Dr. Domke’s patients (and others) and a little MSM pub can’t hurt. Thank you, Natalie.

2006 Commodity Classic in your pocket

This is such a good idea. First time I’ve seen it but I predict it will be routine in the not-to-distant future. AgWired’s Chuck Zimmerman will be blogging the 2006 Commodity Classic:

All the pictures I take and video and audio I record will be pre-loaded onto a video iPod. One of those things will be country music star Michael Peterson’s performance that’s being sponsored by New Holland. Once we know who the winner is Michael will record a personal message which we’ll also load onto the iPod. And, there’s more. We’ll also load Michael’s newest CD, “Down on the Farm,” which you can currently only purchase from your local New Holland dealer. It won’t be out in stores until later this spring.

Or you could hand out some key-chains.

Agribloggers wanted

Chuck Z. (AgWired) already has more business than he can take care of and he’s looking for bloggers and podcasters:

Passionate about agriculture. Willing to write one or more articles per day at least 5 days per week. Can be brief and yet offer significant information and ideas. Computer literate (knows how to make a hyperlink, Google’s to find out stuff, etc.). Already blogs would be nice. Can take a decent digital photo and edit it. Owns a digital camera and notebook computer.

I don’t care if you have a “day” job. I don’t care if you’re currently unemployed even. What I will care about is quality, self-initiative and dependability.

My first thought was anyone with this skill set has or can land a full-time gig. They don’t have to take digital piece work. But maybe you like your day job (with 401k and health benefits) but would like to indulge your “passion for agriculture” in your spare time…be part of a communications revolution…and pick up a few bucks to boot. Maybe you’re an FFA student working your way through college. Maybe you’re a radio news guy making $22k.

I have no doubt Chuck will find his bloggers and podcasters. And he won’t care if they work in their pajamas.

Video podcast on biotechnology

Received a news release today from Monsanto announcing a new video podcast called, Conversations about Plant Biotechnology. These are short (the one I watched was just a couple of minutes) and extremely well produced. They feature “… farmers and experts discussing their personal views and first-hand experiences with genetically modified crops.”

Difficult for me to imagine someone subscribing to these on a regular basis but then I’m not interested in biotechnology. I think this is a very good use of video podcasting and expect to see lot more of it. I’d package it with a good audio podcast and a blog.