Man Protests Television and Radio; Switches to 'Nothing but Podcasting'

Man Protests Television and Radio; Switches to 'Nothing but Podcasting'

In a technological twist on making a New Year's resolution, a
California-based entrepreneur will give up all forms of traditional
media distribution and home entertainment.

In what is described as "part protest and part lifestyle experiment" the
man will use alternative media distribution methods exclusively for one
year.

On December 31, 2005, California-based entrepreneur Dan Safkow will
donate his television, DVD player, CD player and assorted radios to
Goodwill Industries and begin a one-year "nothing but podcasting" home
entertainment lifestyle on New Year's Day.

Safkow describes the decision as the result of a convergence between his
ongoing frustration with the quality of the programs offered by
television and radio broadcasters and his discovery of podcasting as a
viable entertainment and news source.

On his blog PodcastYear.com, Safkow posts an open letter to
"entertainment mega-moguls," including Rupert Murdoch (News Corp.) and
Robert Igar (Disney), that declares his "divorce" from mainstream
entertainment "due to willful desertion of my needs for creative and
quality entertainment."

Safkow, a 45-year old entrepreneur from Aliso Viejo, California,
explains that he discovered podcasting after receiving an MP3 player for
Father's Day, "I could immediately see the potential of podcasting as an
alternative to the lackluster programs offered by television and radio."

Rich...

I like the program where they take all the cell phone and iPod
addicts, douse them with gasoline and set them on fire...then
broadcast it live via "podcasting."

trotsky...

Poor Rich, are you mad because you have no one to talk to on your cell
phone? Have you tried setting yourself on fire as a possible solution?

Rich...

Actually, I wish you were right. I'm FORCED to use a cell phone. I
despise them. But,oooo, how DID people MANAGE to get along without
them?!!!

trotsky...

Cell phones are very convenient, and as a dude who spends a lot of time
in his car, I find them rather helpful. Your mileage may vary, but it
doesn't sound like your opinion (as usual) is very well thought out.

Rich...

People who use them while driving are a menace.
-Rich

-Rich

I wonder if Mr. Safkow has a video I-Pod. I'd hate for my choices to
be limited to only MP3 audio files.

How many subscription MP3 sources will he subscribe to?
The 99 cent downloads from Apple might add up to a significant amount.

Ken from Chicago...

There are VOD (video on demand) / webcasting / streaming and downloadable
video options in addition to audio.

Altho the quality varies. Then again a lot of "traditional" tv is available
too, a lot of news and cable shows and clips from same.