Independent-Podcasting-Necessary-Voices-Bob Davis Podcast 837

Big Business and Hollywood Discovers Podcasting

The big guys are getting into podcasting these days. That means independent voices are more important than ever. Learn more in Independent-Podcasting-Necessary-Voices-Bob Davis Podcast 837.

Big Political Operators Too

Especially relevant are big political operators.

Independent Voices

Consequently supporting independent voices is more important than ever.

Being Independent Means We Make Our Own Decisions

What I have learned working for broadcast companies is especially relevant to creative people who are often the trail blazers and trendsetters. First of all, as independent voices we make our own decisions about our content.

Being On A Big Platform Might Mean More Control Of What You Do

Certainly being on a big platform is great for more feeds. Above all though, what happens when you go against the grain? I’ll tell you in Independent-Podcasting-Necessary-Voices-Bob Davis Podcast 837.

Free Speech

Everyone has a right to produce content their way. That includes business, political operatives and entities like public radio.

Happy To Be On Our Own

Similarly independent voices are necessary. I’m talking about those of us out here on our own. Today’s political climate is most noteworthy in this discussion.

Huge Opportunity For Independent Creators

Back in the day blogging was responsible for some of the most objective and powerful reporting. I think a similar opportunity exists today when it comes to podcasts.

Your Favorite Podcast Might Be Owned By The Mercers

Finally if every platform is owned by big business, political operatives, radio companies, Hollywood and institutions like public radio and TV it implies control of information and opinions, by definition.

Creating Our Own Content Answering To No One

So here’s to us independent content creators. We podcasters and YouTubers writing and producing our own content, trying to monetize our efforts, and saying what we think. No matter what.

Sponsored by John D Scott Personal Injury Lawyer and Ryan Plumbing and Heating Metro Wide From Saint Paul

Independent-Podcasting-Necessary-Voices-Bob Davis Podcast 837

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Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829

Facebook Bans

Lots of talk about social media and free speech these days. Facebook just banned several top content creators. Learn more in Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829.

Byzantine Policies For Advertising

My personal struggles with Facebook’s byzantine rules for advertising my podcasts is especially relevant. In addition I provide some ways to circumvent the rules I am sure the Russians have already figured out.

Who Decides What Free Speech Is?

Moreover the question of whether the constitution or a company determines free speech, is key.

Alex Jones and Louis Farrakahn…Strange Bedfellows

Facebook banned Louis Farrakhan Alex Jones, Paul Nehlan, Mllos Yiannapoulis, Paul Joseph Watson and Laura Noomer last week. Twitter banned actor James Woods. Who’s next?

Russia Russia Russia

Some say this all started with Charlottesville a couple of years ago. Even more alleged Russian ‘election tampering’ through social media has really got the social media companies running scared.

Silicon Valley In The Dog House

A litany of testimony in front of House and Senate committees from big Internet companies and the threat of antitrust enforcement have Silicon Valley billionaires shaking in their sneakers. In a way I almost feel sorry for them. Politicians used to love social media. Now Zuckerberg’s in the doghouse. Details in Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829.

Opinions Are Suddenly Frightening and Dangerous

Consequently one wonders whether people in this country will ever be able to hear an opinion they don’t agree with, without being ‘triggered‘, or thinking there’s an international conspiracy against them.

What’s A Mother To Do?

Certainly users can block, mute or unfollow unsavory characters and people they don’t agree with.

However this isn’t enough.

Gag Them! Shun Them! How Dare People Express Opinions I Do Not Agree With!

As the result of their crimes, offenders must be gagged. Even more, permanently prevented from having their say. This is the corporate version of free speech, backed by a roiling mob.

Try Banning The Backlash

Finally the real truth is you can ban someone from expressing their opinions or entertaining, but you can’t ban the backlash. Sooner or later competitors to these companies will emerge. Content Creators will find other platforms.

In conclusion and in defense of Facebook, getting them to let me advertise podcasts has been clunky and frustrating…

Not impossible.

Moreover some of the worst trolls hide behind anonymity. In this sense, I can understand why ‘registration’ and ‘authentication’ is now part of the process for media businesses on some platforms.

No Longer A Democracy

There will be challenges to gaggings. Some of those challenges will be based on the first amendment and perhaps equal protection clauses of the fourteenth amendment.

And there should be.

I may not agree with your crazy conspiracy theory or your opinion, but I defend your right to tell the world about it.

Without free speech, we are no longer a democracy or if you prefer a representative republic.

THAT is truly terrifying.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Reliafund Payment Processors

Free Speech-Social Media-Bob Davis Podcast 829

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Rainbows-Unicorns-Pixie Dust-Bob Davis Podcast 812

You have to be careful what you say these days. Moreover if you’re a content creator advertising what you say on social media, you face a thicket of protocols and rules. Better to talk about Rainbows, Unicorns and Pixie Dust. That is what we do in Rainbows-Unicorns-Pixie Dust-Bob Davis Podcast 812.

The Russians

Most noteworthy is the reason for all these new rules and regulations. The Russians!

Social Media Pressure

Since Russia allegedly employed thousands of bots to sway the vote for Donald Trump, something has to be done! Pressure on the big social media companies is immense. At the center of that pressure is FaceBook.

FaceBook’s Advertiser Rules Gauntlet

I ran the gauntlet of FaceBook rules recently. As a Podcaster my content generally focuses on Society and Politics. I am a commentator and reporter. I do not advertise or endorse candidate, parties or positions. Even more party political organizations, pressure groups or candidates do not pay for podcasts and do not control my content.

Withdrawing Advertising

I tried to advertise a podcast recently that objectively reviewed GDP numbers for our economy. FaceBook’s silly rules put me in an impossible position. As a result I withdrew my advertising. Learn more in Rainbows-Unicorns-Pixie Dust-Bob Davis Podcast 812.

Era Of FaceBook Over?

Finally it seems to me that FaceBook is increasingly clunky. Difficult to use. Consequently I think it’s time advertisers recognize the user experience on FaceBook is rapidly deteriorating. Some advertising executives have even suggested the era of FaceBook is over.

Rules Do Not Always Protect

In conclusion what is the responsibility of the user? Yes, I support the idea that we should be identifiable as real users. However unfortunately speech control often ends up hurting people instead of protecting them.

Much better to drape yourself in Rainbows, Unicorns and Pixie Dust.

Sponsored by Organo Change your Coffee Change Your Life and Reliafund Payment Processors

Rainbows-Unicorns-Pixie Dust-Bob Davis Podcast 812

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