WordBalloon: Dean Haspiel and Tim Hall

Dean Haspiel and Tim Hall Talk HBO Bored to Death, Undie Press, and Pekar RIP

I've been a WordBalloon listener for at least five years. I discovered Mr. Siuntres because I had an hour's commute to work every morning, and I could only learn music so quickly by ear. One of my refrains, when listening to John talk, is: he takes artists and writers that I don't care about, and he makes me go out and buy their stuff. I started following John Hickman because of WordBalloon, for one, and I've picked up a few books over the years because of it.

The most striking thing about this episode is how Dean Haspiel seems to get it - his views about the new electronic media align closely with mine. Why would people pay for stuff that they've been getting for free? And, people will continue to pay for stuff for creators that they enjoy. For instance, the people buying music nowadays are the ones that are pirating the most. And, many times, a free preview issue will lead to someone picking up more stuff.

This is an important point. I know that I've picked up books because of interviews that John has done. I've picked up books because of free comics I've gotten on Comixology - Andi Ewington's "45 [Forty-Five]" and Atomic Robo spring to mind. But, am I the exception, or am I the rule? What is the return rate on that kind of investment of time, energy, and internet space? They discuss that subject and a few more about the new media.

Their Undie Press is an attempt to follow through on that. Undie Press is a new literary website, presenting a variety of material and media (many different sorts) that people can consume, with the hopeful end game of making money at the tail end. I think this is an awesome idea, because I'm very fond of people trying new ways to make this information system work for real. There has to be a way to monetize what professional writers are trying to do online; the unprecedented fan contact, immediate feedback, and 140 character reviews. Good luck to these guys.

This is definitely worth a listen. I listened to this on 2x speed using the iPhone app "Podcaster," and it was fine. The show is 61 minutes long, including the WordBalloon promos at the front and back end - no commercials in the middle.