WORD BALLOON: THE GREG RUCKA DEBRIEF, II

[MattBrady]

The conversation continues with Wordballoon host John Siuntres, as Greg answers more fan questions about his characters and stories .

You'll learn more about "52", passing the hero mantle of THE QUESTION, film news on WHITEOUT, Greg's thought's on death in today's comics , and why isn't DC considering a new LOIS LANE book?

Click here for part one.

Click here for the episode.

[OM]

...Ok, if you don't have the "resources" to provide a transcript(*), then how about a brief "bullet point" outline of what was discussed, including any major revelations?

(*) I fully predict that, within the next few years, the hearing-impaired will push for legislation along the lines of the Disabilities Act forcing podcasters to provide a text transcript, if not outright closed captioning...

[Lucifer]

Originally Posted by OM

...Ok, if you don't have the "resources" to provide a transcript(*), then how about a brief "bullet point" outline of what was discussed, including any major revelations?

(*) I fully predict that, within the next few years, the hearing-impaired will push for legislation along the lines of the Disabilities Act forcing podcasters to provide a text transcript, if not outright closed captioning...

Most podcasters do them for free without pay and I don't think they should be held accountable for providing closed captioning for their service.

[JamFool]

Another Great episode John.

Wordballoon is probably one of the best comic podcasts out there right now. Johns brain for trivia is downright scary at times
I love these question and answer episodes, hopefully there'll be more creators wanting to do this.

Keep 'em coming!

Originally Posted by OM

(*) I fully predict that, within the next few years, the hearing-impaired will push for legislation along the lines of the Disabilities Act forcing podcasters to provide a text transcript, if not outright closed captioning...

Then most podcasters will probably quit doing their podcasts. There's no money in it, and it's a free download. Let's hope this doesn't happen.
Hopefully someone will post the major points for you OM.

[Gerry Todd]

Yes...all those evil podcasters rolling around in their "Uncle Scrooge" style bins of money. Lighting cigars with $100 bills, yet unable to afford transcriptions.

[Scarlet Mage]

WordBalloon should stick to boring subjects. I don't have the desire or resources to find a way to download these so if they're boring I won't feel vaguely like I'm missing something.

[The Guvnor]

Thanks again John. I enjoyed Part 1 more than I thought I would given that I don't read DC and I'm sure this will be more of the same.

[BillReed]

Originally Posted by Scarlet Mage

WordBalloon should stick to boring subjects. I don't have the desire or resources to find a way to download these so if they're boring I won't feel vaguely like I'm missing something.

All you need to listen to the mp3 is Quicktime, which any self-respecting PC owner should have.

[OM]

Originally Posted by BillReed

All you need to listen to the mp3 is Quicktime, which any self-respecting PC owner should have.

...Hah! Media Player will handle it just fine. No need to load any crap from (cr)Apple, especially Quickslime, which is *not* as superior as the (cr)Apple geeks would love for us to believe.

Originally Posted by JamFool

Hopefully someone will post the major points for you OM.

...Hopefully so. On other forums, this courtesy is usually extended where the podcaster either can't provide a transcript, or *refuses* to provide one because they want you to listen to their forced ad spot at the beginning of the 'cast.

Originally Posted by Gerry Todd

Yes...all those evil podcasters rolling around in their "Uncle Scrooge" style bins of money. Lighting cigars with $100 bills, yet unable to afford transcriptions.

...Oh gee whiz, are we trying to put words in my mouth? Or his? Either way, that's really misdirected sarcasm on your part, which just goes to show you're missing the point altogether.

[JamFool]

Originally Posted by OM

...Hopefully so. On other forums, this courtesy is usually extended where the podcaster either can't provide a transcript, or *refuses* to provide one because they want you to listen to their forced ad spot at the beginning of the 'cast.

I'll save you the time, The episode is sponsored by mailordercomics.com (a damn fine site too). now you don't have to listen to it.

did a podcast bully you at school or something?

[Gerry Todd]

Originally Posted by OM

...Hah! Media Player will handle it just fine. No need to load any crap from (cr)Apple, especially Quickslime, which is *not* as superior as the (cr)Apple geeks would love for us to believe.

...Hopefully so. On other forums, this courtesy is usually extended where the podcaster either can't provide a transcript, or *refuses* to provide one because they want you to listen to their forced ad spot at the beginning of the 'cast.

...Oh gee whiz, are we trying to put words in my mouth? Or his? Either way, that's really misdirected sarcasm on your part, which just goes to show you're missing the point altogether.

You should start a comedy podcast. I laughed out loud at most of this.

I refuse to provide an audio version of this.

[Jess Nukem]

I don't think OM is being completely unreasonable about providing a transcript. I'm hard of heairng too and I would like to able to hear these podcasts. I can't though and that sucks because the pod casts are becoming more and more popular nowadays.

[Innercaine]

Originally Posted by OM

...Ok, if you don't have the "resources" to provide a transcript(*), then how about a brief "bullet point" outline of what was discussed, including any major revelations?

(*) I fully predict that, within the next few years, the hearing-impaired will push for legislation along the lines of the Disabilities Act forcing podcasters to provide a text transcript, if not outright closed captioning...

"In order to treat everyone equally, no one will be treated fairly."
--Jim Groves

Let me say upfront, it's not my intention to be sarcastic with you.

In my opinion, most disabled people don't expect the rest of the world to go to unreasonable lengths to accomodate their needs. They do want the ability to work and provide for themselves, and an opportunity to do so. Sometimes this does spill over to things that can be considered luxuries- like ramps and seating for people in wheelchairs in movie theatres. Disabled people are looking for the same quality of life that everybody else has. However, it's important to remember that law only asks business and employers to make those provisions within a reasonable degree.

And there have been individuals that have capitalized on that in the courts. I can't deny that, but I don't think you'll find that attitude in general. And I also grant that even a 'reasonable' structural change to a property can still be expensive.

Back to point: John probably isn't making any money off his podcast (I don't think). Forcing him to do so would be an unreasonable hardship (i.e. it would actually cost him personally to do it). The Laws aren't there to punish people like John. I think it's unfair to suggest that hearing impaired people would actually prevent people like John from doing what is essentially a hobby, just because John couldn't meet their needs.

Unfair to John, and an unfair depiction of the disabled.

Consider close captioning of television programs. That is sponsored. Someone else usually pays for that service- and in return they're given some nominal advertising in compensation for that sponsorship. One usually barely notices it, but announcers tell us all the time who has sponsored the close captioning of any TV program. I imagine the sponsor can probably write some of that cost off as well, as a charitiable cause (not sure on that though). In my opinion that's a better way to go about it, with a reward incentive rather than a threat.

I'm going to get off the soapbox now.. but jeez man. To read something like, "one day disabled people will porbably sue you, and then I'll get to read a synposis that was prepared for their benefit".. that just strikes me as really cynical and unfortunate for everybody dragged into it.

Come on, just listen to the MP3 on the player of your choice... all of this just really makes you look sad.

[JamFool]

Well done Innercaine, well done. A thoroughly well thought out and well put post!
Now hopefully we can put these podcast rows to rest and focus on the article....


...I can't wait for the Whiteout film!

[Innercaine]

Originally Posted by Jess Nukem

I don't think OM is being completely unreasonable about providing a transcript. I'm hard of heairng too and I would like to able to hear these podcasts. I can't though and that sucks because the pod casts are becoming more and more popular nowadays.

Well this just sort of torpedos my post...

Okay, but at what cost? If there's no one to pay for the close captioning, would you want podcasts to be then illegal? I'm not trying to denigrate your disability, please believe me. But John strikes me as a hobbyist, not really generating much, if any, revenue over this podcast. If he can't provide a transcript without losing money out of his own pocket, then you think he shouldn't be allowed to do it at all?


"In order to treat everyone equally, no one will be treated fairly."
--Jim Groves

[Jess Nukem]

Originally Posted by Innercaine

Come on, just listen to the MP3 on the player of your choice... all of this just really makes you look sad.

I don't he can hear from the MP3 player of his choice.

And yes, some disabled people are really greedy, but there's a lot out there that just HATE to ask for the tiniest accomodation because they're not comfortable that people have to work extra hard for it. But we still have our rights and I don't think we should be ignored.

[Jess Nukem]

Originally Posted by Innercaine

Well this just sort of torpedos my post...

Okay, but at what cost? If there's no one to pay for the close captioning, would you want podcasts to be then illegal? I'm not trying to denigrate your disability, please believe me. But John strikes me as a hobbyist, not really generating much, if any, revenue over this podcast. If he can't provide a transcript without losing money out of his own pocket, then you think he shouldn't be allowed to do it at all?


"In order to treat everyone equally, no one will be treated fairly."
--Jim Groves

I can't imagine it would cost too much for someone to type minutes to a podcast. I use C-Print at my school and the typists make about 15 dollars an hour.

I don't expect Closed Captioning from some backwater podcast anyway.

I do expect it from the network television websites to have closed captioning for their episodes that are on their site hours after the airing, but they don't. They were closed captioned on TV, so I don't get it.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Originally Posted by OM

(*) I fully predict that, within the next few years, the hearing-impaired will push for legislation along the lines of the Disabilities Act forcing podcasters to provide a text transcript, if not outright closed captioning...

Why would podcasters be susceptible to such a silly law, and not ALL radio broadcasters, as well? Just because the 'net came of age as a text-based medium does not mean that it's all it should be limited to.

And if such a silly law were to be attempted against broadcast radio, then it would never stand a chance. Clear Channel has much deeper pockets than all of podcasting, and would throw enough lobbyists at the problem to kill it where it stands.

I'm surprised Tim Sale hasn't sued the makers of color film for denying him his god-given right to watch only black and white TV and movies. . .

-Augie

[Innercaine]

Originally Posted by JamFool

Well done Innercaine, well done. A thoroughly well thought out and well put post!
Now hopefully we can put these podcast rows to rest and focus on the article....


...I can't wait for the Whiteout film!

Thanks!

I'm done with the debate. I did reply to Jess Nukem, and he's certainly entitled to a chance to answer back.. as is everyone else... But if I don't post any more about it, it's not out of disrespect to others, I just don't want to keep perpetuating it.

Thanks John, for having this for us to enjoy. I enjoyed the last Rucka interview, and I'm looking forward to this one when I get home.

Incidentally, Greg Rucka mentioned that in the last interview that he had problems with certain artists (which he did not name). Over at another board, Keith Giffen was listing 52 comments about 52, and some of them were implying that he didn't work so well with Rucka. I didn't take the Giffen comments too seriously, because some posters have said Giffen has a sharp sense of humor and it might not be meant to be taken in a literal context.

But could Greg be referring to Giffen in the previous podcast, when he mentions artist woes? If not, any idea who it really is?

(I don't know myself, so this is an actual question, not a statement. If someone knows these guys and can clear up a misperception, then I'm all ears!).

Here is a link to the Giffen article: http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazi.../004350584.cfm

[Jess Nukem]

Look, it's also good to have CC or a transcript anyway for the people who do need or want it. That's a potential customer you have there, it's not like disable people don't have money to burn. They're just as good as a demographic.

[The Funketeer]

Loved the first part and not just because I'm a Rucka fan. It was great that he was willing to be so candid with his thoughts about the current problems with Wonder Woman given how entrenched he is in the DC universe right now. It was nice to hear something other than excuses for a change.

Adding my two cents to what is becoming a ridiculous recurring debate on closed captioning, unless John starts accepting government grants for the podcast, no law can possibly be passed forcing him to provide transcripts or closed captioning. I think the people who complain about this don't realize how long it would actually take to do such a thing. These aren't 15 minute interviews. The average episode lasts around an hour and those darn Bendis tapes are usually around 4 hours long (broken into parts of course). Yes John has a sponsor but recording equipment and long distance phone calls aren't free. Toss in web hosting and domain names and and it's still possible he's got some out of pocket expenses.

The man is doing an incredible job and has gotten some truly fantastic interviews with some great creators down on tape. If you can't listen to it I'm sorry. You're missing out. But let's not criticize the man because he's not bending over backwards to meet your needs. If you really want to read transcripts that bad, why don't you see if you can help him find a sponsor to pay for it instead of complaining about it whenever he announces a new episode?

[Jess Nukem]

This is the first time I've actually stepped in on this issue. If this is a reoccuring thing, then I hope John Siuntres will clear the air on what can be done to get transcripts. I'll do whatever I can because I've heard about these interviews for a good long time now and I'd love to read them. I can't hear them and I shouldn't be persecuted for not being able to. I didn't blow out my ears on an i-pod, I was born like this.

But I hope John will step forward and let us know what can be done.

It's not a ridiculous request.

[Driftwood]

wow....so um.....how about the Greg Rucka guy huh?...

[Jess Nukem]

Originally Posted by Driftwood

wow....so um.....how about the Greg Rucka guy huh?...

Did a decent job on Wonder Woman, but his Wolverine was dreadful.

[Rob S.]

It seems like a reasonable request to ask John to allow someone to make a transcript of the podcast; maybe he could find a way to put it on his wordballoon site. But certainly the onus should not be on John to make the transcripts himself or pay for them.

That said, the advertiser might not like that, and John himself might not care for it either. And the bottom line is, it's his work, and he gets to determine how its distributed. Plus there's the matter of proofreading and checking to make sure the transcript adheres to the interview. It *is* a fair bit of trouble to get an interview competently transcribed.