How cool is that?
We used to microwave
But now we just eat nuts and berries
I’m a little sheepish to admit that only recently was I introduced to the world of podcasts. I’d like to blame it on the fact that I had a G1 iPod that had run out of room - and that managing our joint collection of songs on iTunes (and having to constantly delete all the Helmet off of my list every time we synced up our respective iTunes) was to blame. But actually, I’m discovering that it was more my own ignorance - and that dangerous hesitance to Try Something New.
But since that time, I’m happy to say that I’m a convert. Democratization of media aside, I’m absolutely floored with what I can listen to and watch in the comfort of my luxury coach ride into the city each day. I get fashion reports, decorating tips, and the Bollywood top 10. I can catch up on all the ski jumping competitions I missed during the Olympics, watch the director’s commentary of a movie we just watched - and what’s really cool - listen to college lectures.
The same day that Kyle introduced me to podcasts, he showed me how to download lectures from $tanfurd faculty. And gosh darnit, I’m loving them. I’m continuing to learn about science. I’m meditating to the Dalai Lama. I’m even falling asleep to guys that would rival Tricky Dicky Dalven. But for the first time that I can remember, I’m learning what I want to learn, when I want to learn it - and how I want to learn it.
Now, don’t think that I’ve crossed over to the way of the red tree. Kyle discovered that Cal offers free video podcasts of its classes. And what these lack in content (they’re mighty boring), they make up for in just sheer implementation-coolness. Instead of being a simple video recording of a lecture, they actually appear to be professionally directed (or at least amateurly directed by aspiring film students), so that they cut in and out of shots, focusing in on what you really should be paying attention to.
Which got me thinking to just how cool it would be to be a student right now. I mean, who needs a notebook when you’ve got your laptop? And with these videos, there’s no need for a tape recorder or even a notebook, when you can rewatch a lecture online anytime you want. I’ve got to wonder if discussion groups are all driven by blogs and chat rooms. And of course, there’s that whole cell phone thing, which didn’t exist when I was a student - we actually had to plan to meet with friends.
Then again, if it’s so much easier to stay in touch and on top of your classes, you’ve got to wonder if the midterms are that much harder now too…