In 2004, MTV video jockey Adam Curry and software developer Dave Winer changed media history. With their program iPodder, the two paved the way for a whole new medium of radio consumption over the Internet, and the podcast was born.

Today, Podcasts Statistics reports that there are more than 700,000 active podcasts and 29 million podcast episodes. Memes circulate poking fun at everyone’s secret desire to grab a microphone and start broadcasting their ideas, their opinions, their research.

So, what’s the deal with podcasts?
First, podcasting is a media relatively free from government regulation. Unlike radio, podcasters need no license to broadcast. The Federal Communication Commission has no jurisdiction over podcast content. Everything goes, from certain four-letter words to explicit or violent content. Podcasts are protected by copyright law through resources such as Creative Commons. Anyone can podcast simply by posting their content online.

This influx of creative content provides opportunities to create art. This attracts many people, which creates many varieties of new interpretations of the medium or media. This creates a media surplus. Buyers rush in, and investors can make a podcast happen, banking on its ability to make money.

“Listeners can relate to the podcasters,” said Austin, who sat down with me when I mentioned podcasts to him. “I should have listened to a podcast today!”

“They’re better than T.V. or any other media besides books,” my sister texted me when I asked her opinion on podcasts.

Podcasts allow the listener to envision a scenario that generates empathy. “This creates a connection,” stated Austin.

Podcasters use their influence to spread important ideas. Political ideas can clash and business pitches can succeed brilliantly or flop spectacularly. It all depends on consumers and who is listening to what. Podcasts have the incredible ability to present a story in a way that multiple people can identify with, much like art. Creativity flourishes when one listens to podcasts when studying, closing at work or even just driving.

Much like our parents listened to the radio, today’s young people listen to podcasts. And we trade the written word like currency.

Article written by Forest Swisher.