The following is an actual Skype conversation between myself and another member of the podcasting community:

[3:55:07 PM] OtherGuy says: hey scott whats your thoughts on the new downloadble media association ?

[4:29:02 PM] Scott Fletcher says: Well, I think that their web site graphics are ridiculously whimsical. Beyond that, it’s a group whose members carry significant weight, representing a good cross-section of ‘portable media landscape.’ It’s also good news for industry commentators [such as myself] given the eclectic-and-likely-dysfunctional make-up of the association.

[4:31:15 PM] Scott Fletcher says: Podshow + PodTrac + PodTech + PodBridge = PodTrainWreck

[4:32:19 PM] Scott Fletcher says: [Sure, there is a lot of hyperbole in that statement, but it’s funny.]

[4:34:35 PM] Scott Fletcher says: How about calling the new association: www.iPodShowTracLifeBridgeRadioOnline.com ?

[4:43:23 PM] Scott Fletcher says: In summary, I don’t have a strong opinion about it. The value of my shows to my sponsors will remain the same, regardless of what standardized Formats/Units/Sponsorship the association might come up with. I suppose that there is a slight risk to the disenfranchised independent producer that the association might declare a standard that doesn’t actually represent a global standard, but I suppose that it will help more than it hurts. De facto standards have been emerging for three years without the help of an association, so its probably time to document a few of them and stabilize them so that the rest of the world can rely upon them for business. So…

[4:43:30 PM] Scott Fletcher says: That’s all I have to say about that.

[4:46:50 PM] OtherGuy says: Thanks whats funny is that at least 3 of those companies use [standards developed by another company]… It looks to me like there will be a lot of agendas…[edit]

[4:50:31 PM] Scott Fletcher says: That’s the side-effect of being a true leader. If you show other people “the way,” you make it possible for them to draw a map and claim it as their own. There have been a lot of ‘good ideas’ in the podcast world, but the only ones that really matter are the ones that work.

Best wishes to all involved.  Given the size of the association, I’d bet that there is at least one member of the association who underestimates the challenge.

They won’t be able to please everyone, nor should they try.  The process will be littered with compromises and some least-worst choices.  I look forward to news of their progress, and hope to be entertained by the natural by-products of friction, standardization, and general “committee behavior.”

Speaking on behalf of all new-media commentators, news outlets, and pundits around the globe… “Thank you!  After a long dry spell, we finally have something to talk about!”

You know that I offer voiceover services to podcasters and companies around the globe.  You also know that I have no shame and will say (just about) anything that someone puts down on paper. 

Well, you reap what you sow.  Check out this cellphone ringtone.  (Warning: no really work-safe.)

Random Note: Flarp is the greatest invention in the world. There is a direct correlation between the coolness of a person and the number and severity of uncontrollable fits the person has when playing with Flarp.