Counterpoint: Podcasts can have an immediacy about them that the written word can't compete with. I'm not talking about the long-form "Serial"-type or magazine

Counterpoint: Podcasts can have an immediacy about them that the written word can't compete with. I'm not talking about the long-form "Serial"-type or magazine "This American Life" style podcasts. Those are very scripted and rehearsed. Rather, I'm talking about a lot of the topical shows I listen to. Having a few people with chemistry discussing their topic, where they can riff and improvise and be themselves, can be incredibly interesting in the way the written word can't.