Let’s see, I started this story about two years ago and by now I have changed my listening habits again as a couple podcasts either fizzled out (sadly, the AC due to the host’s new baby, ONN stopped distributing via podcast and the Meth Minute was meant to be a fixed number) or I just couldn’t get into it (Nerdcast…ugh, Chris Hardwick is a terrible interviewer). I do miss Astronomycast, I need to get back into that.
With the newer iPod Touch from last year and a car capable of playing podcasts, here’s a entry number one of what I enjoy in addition to my weekly fix of On the Media.
99% Invisible: Host Roman Mars or a guest give a story explaining the hows and whys behind the world we’ve come to take for granted be it revolving doors, cul de sacs, Soviet vending machines or how Sci-Fi films influenced cell phones. There is an emphasis on infrastructure and architecture yet its a fascinating program which helps explain past decisions you rarely think about. Through 99 I’ve learned that Otis didn’t invent the elevator, he developed the braking system to make them safer; jaywalking was a term coined by the first (and wealthy) car owners of LA plus he had a connotation equal to “douchebag” before the Thirties; Chicago found a way to reverse the Chicago River’s flow so Lake Michigan provides water; and who designed the desert landscapes of Chuck Jones’ Road Runner cartoons.
There are 100 episodes out now with very good summaries, thus you can skip one if the topic doesn’t interest you. I’ve listened to all of them and contributed to Roman’s Kickstarter campaign last Fall to help make the show a weekly matter. His gift to me arrived this week too. These really cool little notebooks with covers designed by somebody who used certain episodes as inspiration. The turnout exceeded his expectations, including NPR, the show’s primary outlet.
Check it out and tell me what you think.