Idea: Podcaster Defence Fund

[tommorris]

Here's an idea I had during the period when Madge Weinstein was going through the period after the death of her lover Gussie Iskowicz. Basically, it is podcasters social security. People give up a lot to produce podcasts for us to listen to, and then the S. hits the fan.

The Podcasters Defence Fund would basically be a jar where people could drop some cash, then when a disaster hits (whether it be something like Katrina, or something more localised - death, disease, exploding computer, RIAA lawsuit), podcasters would be able to apply for a small grant to cover expenses.

I'm putting up this idea here because I think it would be something that someone with some more time than I could investigate.

Ideally, the organisation would be decentralised - a trusted organisation like Podshow (basically, anyone with a public reputation to lose - so they don't take the money and run) would host. People would then login and get either a subscription or make a one-off donation. The subscription would remove a small amount from their account each month.

Then people could put forward an application with solid evidence, and if the community (anonymously) thinks that it's worthwhile, a certain figure would be dispensed.

Even simpler, just a clearinghouse for podcasters to reach a slightly larger audience if they are raising money in an emergency. Think "Emergency Broadcast System"...

If anyone's got any ideas or wants to turn this idea in to reality, go for it.

[Steve Pinder]

wouldn't we have to trust against scams and who was holding it?



Steve Pinder
www.karatekast.com

[Soccer Shout]

IMO...not a good idea. The medium is wayyyyy to immature to support anything like this. And why should podcasting be any different from any other job? There's no defense fund for programmers, taxi drivers, etc. Human nature dictates that this type of thing doesn't work so well.

A couple of years I read about a retirement fund for artists just starting up - and think how many artists there are and how old their profession is.

The concept was that artists would contribute pieces of art throughout their career, which the fund would sell at a later date to cover the retirement out-goings. The few artists who became much sought-after would cover the costs of the many artists who never achieved prominance.

Well, guess what? Rubbish artists were only too keen to supply works of art. Successful artists didn't want or need to. There was never going to be enough in the kitty to cover the costs because the ratio of good to bad artists wasn't high enough.

[etomorrow]

not everyone trusts podshow.

[PCStalker]

Then you should not support the AllEy. Get off geezers. Your show sucks too and you are fugly

[etomorrow]

Then you should not support the AllEy. Get off geezers. Your show sucks too and you are fugly

geezers? what are you even talking about? where did i say i didn't support podshow? read my post again. mouthbreather.

[ElNacho]

and even if he didnt trust podshow, what's being on a forum owned by podshow have to do with it...

[etomorrow]

and even if he didnt trust podshow, what's being on a forum owned by podshow have to do with it...

someone doesn't understand the meaning of "support" is the problem i think. it's ok, 3 posts i'm guessing someone just registering to talk smack.

[ElNacho]

yah

[WyethDigital]

And why should podcasting be any different from any other job? There's no defense fund for programmers, taxi drivers, etc.
Well, there is, actually. It's called unemployment insurance, or if you're injured, disability insurance.

Social safety nets do exist, and some of them even work when they're allowed to. But I do agree that a privatized safety net for Podcasting is probably not going to work very well.

The Podcasters Defence Fund would basically be a jar where people could drop some cash, then when a disaster hits (whether it be something like Katrina, or something more localised - death, disease, exploding computer, RIAA lawsuit), podcasters would be able to apply for a small grant to cover expenses.
Don't get me wrong, it's a very high-minded idea, and if everyone that podcasts were to come on board, it might even have a chance. But that's not going to happen any time soon. Some of us are struggling to make ends meet as it is, and to add an extra expense into your budget to fund a safety net, especially for what is considered to be a hobby by many, just seems impractical.

In the case of natural disasters, like Katrina, there were many podcasters who donated money, or links on their websites to donate. Like many other communities, podcasters chipped in.

Very thought provoking.

Eric

[womengrow]

I'm putting up this idea here because I think it would be something that someone with some more time than I could investigate.
A wise idea not to pursue this yourself.

To protect both the individuals holding the money as well as those who donate to money and ensuring that it really goes to were it needs to go, something like this should be incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

A launch of a nonprofit requires a substantial investment of personal time and money. A good idea, but you really need to believe in it to see it through.

[Todd in Jersey]

The Podcasters Defence Fund would basically be a jar where people could drop some cash, then when a disaster hits (whether it be something like Katrina, or something more localised - death, disease, exploding computer, RIAA lawsuit), podcasters would be able to apply for a small grant to cover expenses.


Well, I think you've got a massively broad idea here. Its not a horrible concept, but needs a lot of tweaking. But more importantly, it already exists - its called insurance. Your computer and podcast equipment can be covered under your home owner's policy with the proper rider. There certainly are disability and life insurances to examine as well...

However, what is not presently available is "Podcaster Insurance". I'd love to see an insurance company come up with a policy which would allow me to be "held-harmless" from lawuits. Of course, if you're only playing podsafe music, I don't see why the RIAA would even matter.

Otherwise, you'd just be reinventing the wheel...

[Steve Pinder]

What kind of person would name themself PC stalker?
It sounds like a bad choice of titles.



Steve Pinder
www.karatekast.com