Transferring podcasts to my Creative Zen was a laborious affair when I first got started with audio news. I quickly realized, however, that listening to podcasts is a relaxing and very informative way to absorb current events and learn new concepts and ideas. Having recently acquired an iPod Touch this year, I've subscribed to video podcasts as well. I was surprised to discover I still preferred audio over video podcasts not only because they're faster to download, but because it's not nearly as stressful to consume - video demands attention that I would rather devote to reading on my ebook reader.
 |
| Love or hate iTunes, it's pretty good with podcasts. |
I've become more selective in subscribing to podcasts, having learned that not all of them are well-researched or accurate. As 2011 ends, I find myself reviewing my favorite video and audio podcast channels and wondering whether I will keep my subscription with them for 2012.
1. BBC Best of Today - I was indoctrinated to podcasts via the large selection of channels available on BBC.co.uk. Best of Today features discussions and highlights from BBC News. Around 60% of the releases are extremely interesting and educational. The remaining are boring, dry, and offensive. Some of the BBC commentators and reporters are much too abrasive at times, verbally harassing everyone from politicians to specialists. Most of the content revolves around Europe and the U.K. and isn't always relevant. Surprisingly, I found myself drawn occasionally to download Business news with Lesley Curwen despite its brain-numbing and dry content.
 |
| Best of Today |
2. New York Times Bits: Tech Talk - I chose Tech Talk over CNET's podcasts because the hosts, J.D. Biersdorfer and Pedro Rafael Rosado, aren't as annoying or as pompous as the smug CNET editors. J.D. Biersdorfer isn't as technical or as informed as any one of CNET's hosts and she comes off as an unpleasant person on audio. However, she humors the self-deprecating and amicable Pedro Rosado and the idle and lighthearted talk keeps the episode going. Tech Talk is more advertisement than IT in its selection of stories, but does provide an inside reach into the industry as only the New York Times can. **Update: NYT Bits Talk aired their final podcast episode last December 2011. Good luck and thank you for the great episodes!
 |
| NYT Bits Tech Talk |
3. HowStuffWorks.com: Brainstuff - I discovered HowStuffWorks after college and found it a useful and interesting site. Although I haven't visited the page in years, I subscribe to Brainstuff for the short 3-5 minute casts explaining everyday scientific phenomena. I have to admit I don't always understand Marshall Brain's exposition during the brief running time. However, I'll take what I can get. HowStuffWorks has several very interesting and fun podcasts, but not all of them are very accurate nor as well-written.
 |
| Marshall Brain |
4. CNBC Asia - Managing Asia, CEO Call - These two podcasts from CNBC focus on Christine Tan's interviews with managers and heads of huge international companies such as Heineken, Hilton, ANZ, and Symantec. These sessions are interesting peeks into the movement of companies in Asia and gives insight to what's coming next. Christine Tan may not be the most likable host in the world, but the length and sheer variety of interviews make for easy listening.
 |
| Christine Tan |
5. English News - NHK World Radio Japan - Japan and world news from NHK Japan is as interesting as Japan itself.
6. NTD TV China News (video) - This is one of the better Chinese news agencies based in New York. They present unbiased and thoroughly comprehensive news videos regarding events happening in China. Free from the machinations of the Chinese government, NTD reports on even the worst news happening in the Middle Kingdom. Like most running news, the program paints a very bleak look at Asia's dragon from an insider's point of view. Plus, they have an Australian news anchor and a cute Chinese one, too.
 |
| NTD News Anchor (English) |
7. New York Times World News (video) - NYT's World News Video isn't just any news program. NYT World News presents short video vignettes about pressing events in places all over the world such as the Middle East and China. Short, intelligent, and to the point, this is one of best video news podcasts out there.
 |
| NYT |
8. BBC A Point of View - BBC's A Point of View isn't a daily podcast but rather an infrequent release of audio essays from British intellectuals. Some of the episodes are amazingly heartfelt and well-written while others can be downright disagreeable. However, each session always provides a new perspective to very curious topics.
9. CNN Talk Asia - This podcast revolves around interviews with Asian figures that may make or have made significant impact in recent events in the region. Previous episodes featured Thai Prime Minister Yingluck and Michelle Yeoh.
10. BBC 60 Second Idea to Improve the World - Although this BBC podcast is neither educational nor informative, it is a short and whimsical look at ideas from various professionals as to how the world can be improved with simple albeit unrealistic suggestions.
0 comments:
Post a Comment