Dithering and Open Versus Free
Ben Thompson,
Stratechery,
May 14, 2020
I'm including this post not to promote a new paid podcast (though that's what the article does) but rather to point again to what's happening in the world of podcasts. Back in the days when Google still allowed RSS to exist you could subscribe to many podcasts from many providers, using the podcatcher of your choice. Now, though, they're largely being streamed through a single service owned by Spotify. Spotify is obviously trying to do to podcasting what Google and Facebook did to news, that is, to become the only provider. This new podcast bucks the trend (as does my own, though I'm not what anyone would call a regular podcaster). As regards this for-pay podcast, well it's the same as for news: it will reflect the interests and values of those with the money to pay. Charging money does not create equity of access and/or content, which is why subscription content is not free content.
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