Hello and welcome to my blog. That's correct, my blog. For the duration of the next several months I will be discussing in depth several topics pertaining to, but not limited to, communication technology. That's right, this is an assignment blog. However, I'm going to try and have as much fun with it as possible this semester.
So that you know where I'm coming from, I enjoy communication technology and the advancements that have helped our society get to the glorious position we're now in. Wait, a recession doesn't count as glorious does it? Nope, didn't think so. Nonetheless, I do believe that our society has benefited in many ways through the advancements in communication technology, and this blog will discuss many of the new and old things things that have made us who were are today.
Whether you deem it good or bad, communication technology throughout the ages has lead me to be able to design my own blog, discuss my opinions, and then get feedback from other individuals out there that like to read things posted on the internet. With the click of a button, or the swipe of a finger, we have the ability to 'like' or 'dislike' something, and then go connect to others across the globe to see whether or not the water really does go in the opposite direction when they flush the toilet. If it were only for these reasons alone I would still be a fan of communication technology, but it's not. This ever changing world in which we live in gives constant accreditation to those that think beyond the now, and for that, I will too.
So, what are we going to talk about today? Well, I was reading a few things on-line today and came across this article that got me thinking about radio. I started thinking about radio because radio has always been one of those constants in our lives.
Since the early 1900's radio has been both prevalent and relevant in the lives of most Americans. It is the only form of communication technology that has breached over 90% of households and remained there for over 100 years. Granted TV hasn't been around that long, but you get the dramatic effect that I'm going for here. It wasn't until the the mid to late 90's that the number of people listening to radio started to decline. Why?
Well, I have a few opinions on the matter, but nothing really substantial. First of all I believe that radio has started to decline because it's not really needed anymore. When radio first came out it was directed to the masses. Still to this day I believe that it continues to be directed to everyone with the exception of maybe satellite radio stations like XM. In today's society we have more of a an individualistic approach to things, and radio is no exception to that rule. Personally, I would rather listen to what I have on my iPod than listen to the top 9 at 9 that everyone else voted on. I don't have the same taste in music as the masses and I want to be able to listen to my own style.
Second of all who can really remember all those stations? In general you can set stations for the area where you live, but if you go anywhere else in the nation, the stations aren't the same. Once again, my iPod wins this battle because no matter where I go, I have my play-list with me.
Lastly it's just not as relevant as it once was. With so many ways to get information out there, why listen to the radio? I mean, plug in your phone and use your Pandora app that you downloaded and you have no commercials. If anything happens while you're listening to Pandora, you get instant news Tweets from CNN that tell you about breaking news. Really, is there a need for radio anymore?
I think there will always be room in someones life for The Bob & Tom Show, and maybe NPR, but overall I can't really make a case for radio in the future unless it becomes a lot more user friendly. Maybe if they gave users the ability to pick and choose what they wanted to listen to it would be different, but until then, and if radio makes it that long, I'll be listening to my iPod.
Trip, Out!
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