Podcasts.

Back when iTunes 4.9 was released in June of 2005, I remarked that podcasts have been “gaining popularity recently, and their integration into iTunes will probably ensure their long-term success.” Naturally, I was right; as you know, I have astonishing powers of clairvoyance.

To be honest, though, I didn’t really get into podcasts until last year, mostly because I couldn’t find a good time to listen to them. I don’t have any long commutes, so I can’t listen then; if I put one on while doing something else, I end up losing track of the discussion. And if I’m out walking around or jogging with my iPod, I want to listen to music, not some dude(s) talking — regardless of how interesting said dude(s) might be.

The solution was to listen to podcasts the way I listen to a new album: lying on my bed with my headphones on and my eyes closed so that I actually pay attention to the damn things. Now that I actually concentrate on them while listening, I’ve found that these podcast things can be pretty enjoyable.

These are the shows I’m currently into:

• MetaFilter Podcast: I think of MetaFilter as my “home” web community; it’s where I spend most of my online time, and where I’ve been hanging out the longest. In the podcast, moderators Matt Haughey and Jessamyn West recap interesting posts from the site, interview members, host call-in segments, and post songs from MeFi Music. It typically runs an hour per episode and comes out once or twice a month. NSFW.
• The Brainy Gamer podcast: The Brainy Gamer is run by Michael Abbott, a theater professor at Wabash College. It’s where all the intelligent and critically-minded gamers trade ideas — the nexus of my corner of the blogosphere, if you will. The podcast features thoughts on games Michael’s been playing, interviews with people connected to the industry, and general discussion of the gaming community. It runs about an hour per episode, give or take, and comes out once or twice a month.
• Downloadable Content: This is the podcast from the Penny Arcade guys, Mike “Gabe” Krahulik and Jerry “Tycho” Holkins. It documents the strip-writing process, which involves reading the news, ridiculing each other, talking about video games, and discussing lunch (and the acquisition thereof). They’re two of the funniest guys around, so it’s frequently hilarious. Episode length ranges from fifteen minutes to an hour, and the release schedule is sporadic. NSFW.
• Play Value: A video podcast about the history of the console video game industry. This is one from the pros, so you’ll see some higher production values here than in the other ones on the list. A decent overview and great source of “Did you know?”-type info from a bunch of designers, writers, and fans (not that I’ve heard of any of them, but they seem to know their stuff). The shows used to be precisely eight minutes each, but are now ten minutes; they come out a couple times per month.
• The Talk Show: A no-frills conversational podcast primarily about Apple, but also covering technology, movies, and general nerdery. Another fine project from the endearingly haughty duo of John Gruber and Dan Benjamin. They go into ostensibly dull topics (e.g., keyboards) with so much enthusiasm and in such detail that you can’t help but enjoy it. Episodes are usually around half an hour, with the occasional double-length show; the release schedule is sporadic, but it usually comes out twice a month.
• You Look Nice Today: An irreverent comedy podcast from internet superstars/Twitter funnymen Merlin “hotdogsladies” Mann, Scott Simpson, and Adam “lonelysandwich” Lisagor. As is common with humor nowadays, the show is rife with inside jokes, so I recommend starting from the beginning. It’s well worth it, if you ask me. YLNT runs 30-45 minutes per episode and new ones are released weekly (or close to it). NSFW.