First off, I was really surprised to find out that there actually *was* a backchannel happening at PAB. The fact that I didn't notice it makes me think that perhaps my big objection was how it was sometimes eclipsing the 'frontchannel' in terms of attention. From what I looked at afterwards, there was helpful info going up there, especially for those who couldn't make it. I'm rethinking my opinions on it - haven't really decided what I think yet...

As for Carlin and his edgy humour - don't know if you heard Tim Ralphs' Grammar Nazi Piece over at Sage's (http://quirkynomads.com/wp/2008/04/15/grammar-nazi/) but it pushes the limits in just the way Carlin did. I ping pong between dying laughing and being utterly horrified at the content. I'm appalled at the subject but at the same time, it is so clever... I may have to decide to hold two opposing opinions simultaneously to get through that one. The cool thing about it, though, is that in being that edgy, it makes me take a deeper look at my beliefs and provides interesting food for thought. The inner dialogue is fascinating. *That* is why podcasters need to push the limits and why 'monetizing' can get in the way of thought provoking content.