Podcasts

Podcasts have been available since the early 2000s, and even though they have yet to fully infiltrate the mainstream, they've certainly been making major inroads in that direction. What has truly propelled podcasting culture in recent years is the advent of the syndication tool RSS. Interestingly, it was former 1980s MTV Veejay Adam Curry who helped to implement an RSS feed software specifically for podcasts. Originally created as a downloadable (rather than stream-able) audio medium for blogs, podcasts allow users to subscribe and hear shows from any of their favorite blogs, radio stations, newspapers, and even bedroom DJs - as anyone with a $20 microphone and a computer can create a podcast.

Podcast content and structure is typically a cross between a blog and a radio talk show. While journalistic radio programs found a natural niche in podcasting, comedy-themed podcasts have more recently become the breakout stars on the scene, taking advantage of one of the more unique characteristics of podcasts - the magnified level of intimacy between hosts, guests, and listeners. What's more, most podcast downloads, and subscriptions are free, making them even more accessible to pop culture junkies - not to mention the medium's potential for becoming a major force as a new format for syndication.