Weasels with Ocarinas

Oct 7, 03:44 PM

Recently I was given an internet radio, and I confess that I am already entranced. I’ve been happily scrolling through the 8,000 radio stations available, from Georgian folk music (this one – my girlfriend claimed – sounded rather like a weasel playing an ocarina), to curious podcasts about keeping goldfish.

I’m sure that the initial sheen will soon rub off, and then I’ll settle down into a set of favourite stations which I can listen to whilst washing up, making pastry, and hanging out in the kitchen with the cat. On my list, I think, will be ABC’s The Philosopher’s Zone from Australia, Deutsche Welle’s news updates in German (spoken slowly, so that the likes of me have a chance to understand what’s going on), various Chinese language podcasts, the French Chansons radio, In Our Time with Sir Melvyn, and so on. There’s so much good quality conversation out there: last night, whilst cooking, we listened to Alison Gopnik talking about her book The Philosophical Baby – engaging, thoughtful, and extremely funny.

Best of all, having the internet radio means that henceforth Sunday mornings – just when you want to listen to the radio – are no longer endless deserts of religious solemnity followed by the gruelling ordeal of The Archers Omnibus edition. Absolutely anything is better than The Archers – even a weasel with an ocarina.

 
  1. #1 · Lodenjinpa Jinpa

    Oct 8, 07:42 AM

    Good 2 see the Aussie podcast is still on your list.

  2. #2 · Will

    Oct 8, 10:56 AM

    Absolutely! I’m an avid listener.

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