Notes from the Biomass

After Nature, my favourite scholartainment magazine, started blogs (which I fail to find after the recent site redesign), offered a toolbar and the social reference manager Connotea, the podcast, which was started with the current issue, was a foreseeable extension. I have not much use for podcasts - I don't listen to the radio much at all and I usually cycle to work, when most people listen to it, I guess. Anyway, I downloaded the hefty 20 minutes and listened. The 'cast is presented by the ungooglable Dr Chris Smith. We get reviews of recent scientific publications, commented and explained in a rather light hearted manner and augmented with interviews with the scientists. I like the personal note of the interviews really. The selection of topics is suitable to a wide audience of scientists but I was surprised that the Nobel prizes that were announced on Monday and Tuesday were not part of the Wednesday show - I guess, the medium needs a little more independence and more spontaneous action - announcement of the prizes caught somebody by surprise.
Let's see how it develops - 20 minutes is a little long for my attention span, so a handful of shorter podcasts, spread over the week would suit me better. May be I should also buy that iPod Nano finally.