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comment by blackbootz
blackbootz  ·  2267 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Let's talk podcasts! What've you been listening to?

Same as you and OB! My god. I dropped Radiolab after repeatedly, uncontrollably groaning out loud at some recent episodes, including their SCOTUS series. Just totally dumbed down, emotional, overwrought pap, with cheesy music to boot. What happened?





b_b  ·  2267 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I like RadioLab. I don't listen every week, but only when I happen to catch it in the car. What they're doing is just presenting some interesting, usually unknown topic, and giving the public a taste. I think that's admirable, but of course it's going to come with simplifications, hype, etc. I forgive them that (and of course sometimes they hit one out of the park, such as in their AUMF episode). That said, that Supreme Court thing they did made me embarrassed for them. I couldn't get through a single episode. Maybe it is for kids, and it's cool if you're trying to get kids to learn up of Marbury v. Madison; lord knows public school isn't going to teach you about how the courts work. But don't bill it as being for anything but kids.

blackbootz  ·  2267 days ago  ·  link  ·  

They have more than a fair share of home runs. That AUMF episode was excellent. So was their story on the photojournalist embedded with the medevac team in Afghanistan. Actually this list of 11 episodes is on point for me. But their recent stuff really turned me off, and with so many other good options I couldn't justify returning. As often happens with all my favorite series, I will probably rotate back after some time.