Podcast a Dirty Word?

[BradShoemaker]

I believe it is becoming one. Not so much from the tech geeks or those of us who are involved in podcasting, but because the general public still doesn't have a clue what podcasting means. A good portion have heard the term, some even know what you are talking about, but I have found that the majority of people we talk to give us a blank stare when we mention podcasting... some even say "I've heard that word, but what is it?". Almost every time we talk about our shows, people inevitably think of traditional radio. They ask us what station we are with, etc. Therefore, we have decided to start calling them "shows" just so people can relate and don't zone out or lose interest in something due to the term they are unfamiliar with.

As for it being a dirty word, I guess in another sense it can become one. Again, perception is key and people think of podcasting they think of some guy who lives with his parents sitting down in a basement talking dungeons and dragons or WoW despite the fact that even traditional media has their own podcasting elements. Even though it is breaking through the barriers, it is still at the early stages of adoption and acceptance.