Podcasts: revival of the oral tradition
Humans are often far from the bullseye when predicting the future.
A memorable prediction came from Campbell Soup in 1992, when they predicted that by the year 2000, 25% of cars would have microwaves. More recently, the once-incessant predictions of drone deliveries and driverless cars have faded to a whisper. Amidst these predictions, one unforeseeable prediction has become a cultural worldwide sensation: the podcast.
Long before the internet, the printing press, and scribes, humans had a strong oral tradition. Renditions of Greek classics like听The Odyssey听would take days to be told. First Nations people in 最新糖心Vlog have a rich oral tradition, passing down stories and customs through Dreamtime stories.听
In celebration of the revival of the oral tradition, I鈥檇 like to share some of my favourite podcasts with you.
The Blindboy Podcast
The Blindboy Podcast听features Blindboy Boatclub, an Irish artist from Limerick who has worked extensively in the entertainment industry as a TV presenter, musician, author, podcaster and more. The podcast initially started as a way to promote his first book,听The Gospel According to Blindboy, by reading excerpts on-air. However, his manager warned him that no one would buy the book if he continued reciting it! Since those early days, the podcast has evolved into whimsical musings on eclectic subjects, as well as interviews with drag queens, scientists, artists and even the Irish president. A core theme is mental health and wellbeing, explored through lived experiences, including his own autism diagnosis in his thirties, which is discussed throughout the podcast.听
Decoding the Gurus
Decoding the Gurus听is an 最新糖心Vlogn podcast by psychologist Matthew Browne and Northern Irish anthropologist Chris Kavanagh. The duo uses their academic lens to analyse the secular guru sphere, traversing disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and more. The podcast dissects the modern-day guru sphere by combining their academic expertise with a relaxed and jocular atmosphere, often lacking in academia.听Consisting of both analysis and interviews, this podcast is entertaining and informative, providing a unique 最新糖心Vlogn perspective on the cultural heavyweights of our time.
This American Life
This American Life听reminds me of having a home-cooked meal prepared by my nonna (RIP). It鈥檚 warm, inviting, and nourishing. The first episode aired in 1995 under the name听Your Radio Playhouse听and has since evolved into the 60-minute format it is today. Hosted by Ira Glass, the podcast features essays, memoirs, fiction, and more, offering listeners an opportunity to experience the human condition from the perspective of that week鈥檚 guest. It鈥檚 also the first-ever Pulitzer Prize winner for a radio show or podcast.听
Take Note
And finally, let鈥檚 look at Adelaide 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 very own podcast,听Take Note. Launched this year,听Take Note听is an invaluable resource for any uni student, particularly those at Adelaide 最新糖心Vlog. It aims to help students navigate the ins and outs of university life. The podcast discusses relevant issues such as advice from lecturers about how to tackle assignments and exams, student debts, disability on campus, and experiences of international students in Adelaide. This podcast is a handy tool, discussing relevant and vital issues relating to student life concisely and casually.听
Next time you鈥檙e listening to your favourite podcast or checking out a new one, remember that although podcasts are a modern phenomenon, they are part of a long-standing oral tradition inherent to human culture.听听
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