I’ve raged about this on twitter (@hhwst) before; however I have yet to collect my thoughts on paper… Well, virtual paper. What is Internet Radio? My definition would be broadcasting online. It’s fair to say most people would.
Because something is on the Internet, does that delegitimize it? Perhaps ten years ago. However, utilizing the Internet as a form of media is not just the future; it’s the present.
I’ve gone on before about how technology has ruined certain aspects of what I hold close to me. Reading is now done on a computer and/or tablet screen, you can watch a movie from the comfort of your own home rather than experiencing the magic of a multiplex, and you can instantly acquire music for free. I know I’ve probably named what seems like all positive things about technology; but to me they have hurt an authors dream to see his book in print, a filmmaker’s movie to be on the big screen, and the unsigned band from getting the true recognition they deserve.
I also see the positive in all that and how it’s also helped authors, filmmakers, musicians and more. It’s also MY media of choice for everything I do; write, broadcast, and film. I’ve thrived as a podcaster and now a broadcaster online since 2007, so of course I hold the Internet close to me.
This isn’t a blog about the Internet and technology; I just wanted to set up a bit of a back story on statements I have made or believe in. Now, let’s go back to when I raged on twitter:
You and your fake Internet Radio show
Yes, I shouldn’t let what others say bother me; but this has been something that has been part of me for 4 plus years. Do I see myself doing this forever? By no means… I love to talk and be creative; I’m sure I’ll transition to something else… Sooner than later even. Internet Radio isn’t the most important thing in my life, but it is something I have a passion for. I do it, first and foremost, to sit down and talk with friends that I don’t get to see on a regular basis. You, the listener, sitting down to listen as often as you do is a bonus. I’ve had listeners contact me and say their highlight of the week is when they get to listen to Happy Hour, The Walking Dead Zombcast, and/or SMonday Pod. That’s better than a payday any day of the week.
You may not agree and think it’s ridiculous and “fake”. Tell that to Kevin Smith who is exiting his film career and entering the realm of new media and Internet broadcasting as Act II of his career. Tell that to Adam Corolla who left traditional terrestrial radio for podcasting. Those names a bit too Hollywood or famous for you? Ok… Tell that to the kid in Queens who was unemployed and created one of the first podcasting networks and thrives off it. Andrew Zarian of The Guys From Queens Podcast Network has done only what I could dream of… Make a career out of talking without fame to back you up.
As I feel the end of my Internet broadcasting career creep up on me, I will remain a proud supporter of the medium. Hell, I will remain in the medium with producing shows and directing skits and web TV. But, it will always annoy me when someone delegitimizes the medium; just like when I was a wrestler and it was deemed fake… Care to get hit in the head with a steel chair?
Tell me what you’re passionate about and then I’ll stomp all over it. Tell me it wouldn’t piss you off a little bit? The moral of this blog is you shouldn’t take something that is off the beaten path from the norm and say it’s fake… Chances are thousands of people are listening to that guy versus whatever drivel comes out of your mouth.
Thanks for reading and I’ll see you one final time on Stabcast.com for Thursdays of Steel, but don’t worry! You can still find me on twitter (@steeltip, @hhwst, @WDzombcast, @smondaypod, @muffsquad, @30minoutsider, @phillysounds, @crudehumored) and of course on hhwst.net (the permanent home of Thursdays of Steel) or crudehumorstudios.com
