A few days ago, The Pew Internet and American Life Project reported that 6,000,000 Americans have listened to podcasts-- a figure which I then called "surprising", but should now more accurately call "surprisingly WRONG".
Pew is the primary source for most of what we think we know about how Americans use the internet, so it's bizarre that their own research director doesn't appear to stand behind their methodology or conclusions.
Engadget's Peter Rojas puts it aptly:
"Not that podcasting as a phenomenon isn't growing rapidly or anything, but there's no reason to overinflate its importance, you know?"
Pew should respond officially to the controversy, or they risk damaging their credibility. Meanwhile, I've learned to read the fine print on a survey before I believe it. (Thanks, Reed.)
