geekosystem

Today starts the NCAA March Madness tournament. Yawn. I don't want to perpetuate the stereotype that geeks can't also like sports, but man, do I hate March Madness.* The real action is in public radio feuds, and that's why I'm pumped to see that 89.3 KPCC has 32 NPR shows going head-to-head in an NCAA style tournament bracket. The smart money (mine) is on Bullseye to take the whole thing against Car Talk in the finals.

You all listen to the Judge John Hodgman podcast, right? RIGHT? Good. In case you missed last week's episode, it featured one of the greatest moments in the show's history. The show is hosted by occasional Daily Show correspondent, professional PC, knower of all things, and eccentric millionaire John Hodgman with co-host "Bailiff" Jesse Thorn. Hodgman sang the cover of "Baby Got Back" featured in an episode of Glee that was stolen from Jonathan Coulton, who was in the audience. Hodgman and Coulton are friends, and unlike Glee, Hodgman at least gave Coulton implied credit.

Jesse Thorn is kind of my hero. My first "editor's pick" here at Geekosystem was his public radio show and podcast Bullseye, and I made it my first recommendation for a reason. It's really something special. When I found out Thorn was doing his talk "Make Your Thing" here in New York, well I certainly wasn't going to miss that. I had a chance to sit down with Jesse before the talk at the Etsy Holiday Pop-Up Shop to discuss making our things, sincerity, and what it means to be a geek.