Podcasts permit a shift of listening time from a set appointment to virtually any convenient occasion. I do it while taking my daily (more or less) 3 mile walk, while I’m “plodding along”. While there are thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of great podcasts from other sources, the ones sponsored via public radio have been vetted through the worthy objectives of the medium. Here’s what I’ve been listening to recently. I hope you might find these suggestions — in roughly 90 minute bites -- helpful in enhancing your own enjoyment of radio, our favorite medium.
[Apoligies for the long gap between newsletters. Most of my podcast listening takes place on my “power” walks which due to a balky arthritic knee. But that seems to have resolved itself with some care, so we’re back.] __ __ “Data Centres: Whose Thirst Comes First?” MORAL MAZE - BBC Radio 4 AI data centres are expanding across the UK and around the world. Tech giants and governments see them as essential infrastructure for future prosperity; the engines of economic growth, scientific innovation, improved healthcare and national security. Advocates believe they will bring about the next technological leap forward for humanity. But there are always trade-offs. Critics point to the immediate environmental costs; the demand for electricity, water and land. They question whether the promised rewards justify the sacrifices, particularly for local populations who face the disruption of new developments while the economic benefits go elsewhere. Are we, as a society, being swept along by an AI 'arms race' we didn’t consent to? Are we right to put faith in tech billionaires who prophesy a future of progress and human flourishing, or are we simply enabling more consumption? (Every video of Elon Musk as Austin Powers drinks around 4 litres of water). And even if AI promises to solve climate change and eradicate disease, how much are we willing to place on that bet today? (57”) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0030mcx “Midterm Madness” ON THE MEDIA - NPR and WNYC New York Public Media With control of Congress at stake, the 2026 midterm campaigns are on track to spend an all-time record sum on this election cycle. How political ads are resonating, and misfiring. Plus, a look at the changing relationships between public radio stations and universities after the defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. (49”) https://wnyc.org/browse/shows/episode/simplecast/f9b047e1-2a2c-4f72-818f-9cd123894b7d — — A compendium of these suggestions, plus on occasion additional pertinent material, is published every other month in the CIDX Messenger, the monthly e-newsletter of the Canadian International DX Club (CIDX). For further information and membership information, go to www.cidxclub.ca John Figliozzi Member, North America Shortwave Association Executive Council Co-Coordinator, NASWA Annual SWL Fest Editor, The NASWA Journal “Shortwave Center” column Author, "The Worldwide Listening Guide” Opinion Writer, “The Daily Gazette - Sunday”, Schenectady, NY _______________________________________________ Swprograms mailing list [email protected] http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/swprograms To unsubscribe: Send an E-mail to [email protected]?subject=unsubscribe, or visit the URL shown above.
