My new favourite podcast is Spark. Spark is a podcast about technology and culture. Nora Young features intriguing guests and topics that are so relevant to learning and life. Here’s a couple of stories from recent episodes that has me thinking:
- Does location matter anymore? A discussion of telepresence and computers/webcams as social prosthesis’.
- Clay Shirky on cognitive surplus
- Do organizations have responsibility to maintain their social networks? Disney recently closed their virtual Magic Kingdom. Thousands of users suddenly lost their content and due to restrictive privacy policies, couldn’t contact those they had met and developed friendships with on the site.
- What happens to your digital legacy when you die? A slightly morbid but interesting discussion about your digital life and what happens to your stuff after you’re gone.
- Lee LeFever explains the concept behind his Common Craft video
There’s tons more good stuff included in each 27 minute episode. Each show has 4 or 5 stories with extended interviews if you are interested. The format is great, the topics engaging and often leaves you with more questions than answers. Add it to your ipod. It’s time well spent.





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June 11th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
You might also want to check out Search Engine.
June 11th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hi. It’s Dan from Spark here. Thanks so much for the links and the kind words.
June 11th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Three cheers for SPARK! Thanks for linking it and mentioning it! I try to catch it weekly - or at least by podcast! Great blog you have here…have been reading you since my ECMP class began in May !
June 11th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Thanks for pointing this out - I’m on the lookout for another podcast (already listen to Quirks)…
Ian H.s last blog post..Iphone v2
June 11th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I like Spark too. I’ve listened to every episode published, but I gotta tell ya, Spark doesn’t hold a candle to Search Engine; hands down my favourite podcast out there right now. Clarence turned me on to it.
Darren Kuropatwas last blog post..Les Foltos: Brainstorm and Wrap Up
June 11th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Thanks Darren and Raj,
I’ll check it out.
June 12th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Thanks for this, Dean. I’d never heard of Spark, but I’ll subscribe right away. The topics sound fantastic. And thanks, Darren and Raj, for the pointer to Search Engine. Two new “must listen” podcasts at once makes this a great day.
Richard Schwiers last blog post..WoW - that was fun!
June 20th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Raj mentioned the show Search Engine as being a fitting companion to Spark. Unfortunately Search Engine will not be returning in the fall, at least not in its present form. Jesse Brown, host of Search Engine, has written about the future of Search Engine at http://www.cbc.ca/searchengine/blog/2008/06/the_future_of_search_engine.html.
Rob Walls last blog post..EdTech Posse Podcast 4.3 - TLt thoughts, and some ideas about edupunk