Hi Class--
Great discussion so far! You've done a good job of stating your positions and defending them. Keep it up. Next topic: Talk Radio.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/11/08/the_rising_irrelevance_of_talk_radio/
38 comments:
Talk radio has never been something I was interested in and it probably never will be. Its not that I have anything against it. I am simply never in the right place at the right time to listen to it. The only time I listen to the radio is when I'm in my car. With the rising cost of fuel, I spend less and less time in my car than ever before. I spend, at most, 30 minutes each day driving. I devote that time to listening to my favorite songs on my iPod or catching up on phonecalls I've missed throughout the day. Talk radio just doesn't fit in.
In today's world. The idea of listening to talk radio is becoming obsolete. Like the article mentioned, those that listend to talk radio are the ones that always have. It is not generating any new supporters. People have so many other options for entertainment and sources of information about political issues that talk radio is simply unattractive when compared with the other alternatives.
Zack Shearer
Talk radio is something that you think of your parents or grandparents listening to. We did not grow up in the era of radio. We have always been raised with a television, and this just seems like the natural way for us to receive our news. We are visual people these days. Things have to look flashy and grab out attention. Talk radio seems “old school” to the younger generations. I admit that I have listened to some talk radio, but mainly because I just happened to stumble across it on the radio when nothing else was on. Unfortunately talk radio probably will fade out.
This is also a problem that was created by technology. Cars now have presets on them which stop people from skimming through all of the channels on the radio. Many people do not even listen to the radio anymore. IPods have made it possible for people to always listen to music they like, and never have commercial breaks. Unless you are just really interested in talk radio this is not something that is going to be on your IPod. As for getting messages out about presidential elections, the internet is becoming the new fad. Blogs like this one can almost do what radio use to do. The article talked about how hosts use to ask questions about why people thought this way, and blogs are people telling why they think the way they do. Blogs can be persuasive. Blogs can create groups for and against certain issues kind of like radio use to. Technology has just made different sources available to get news from.
Who listens to talk radio anymore? I think the authors of this article were right on target. It is largely a dead medium for news or opinions. The right wing media clowns like Rush Limbaugh and the Left wing media comics like Al Franken have pretty much made everyone aware that we can no longer listen to talk radio politics and carry anything reasonable away except a Hyper-Biased personal agenda driven bucket of opinion.
With the last election we had one of the greatest turn-outs of young voters in history. With that youth comes a voter who is much more savvy to modern communication sources such as the internet etc, and I am sure a lot of young voters who have NEVER turned to political talk radio as a source. During the election before this one I was a talk radio junky. This election I hardly listened at all. I think I got burnt out because of the afore mentioned over biased information content. Even if the talk show host holds the same political views as me I just get sick of listening to them BLAB.
Robby Rose
The article's writer states that most talk radio has become irrelevant due to politics. He is probably right. Most talk radio I have heard has been either conservative, or liberal based. I feel that talk radio has also pushed the limits, which has led to its decline. I'm sure you all remember the "nappy headed hos" comment made by Don Imus. Fortunately, talk radio is no different from all technology, being that you can turn it off.
I, personally, feel that talk radio can be very interesting, irritating, or downright offensive. I do enjoy listening to it. I actually listen to a radio talk show almost every morning. However, it is quite a bit lighter than some of the other radio shows out there. Most of all, I like the fact that I have a say. I can call in with my opinion, or just to chat. Can a TV provide conversation? Unfortunately, no. While talk radio may be dying out, I'm still a fan.
Kelley Frost
The popularity of talk radio is (inevitably) declining in our young generations. I wish this was not the truth. I listen to NPR on a weekly basis, and whenever I drive home to Little Rock I listen to it the entire drive. I wish that the youth of today would further educate themselves, and what better way than to just listen to the opinions of others.
The “Great Debate” between Kennedy and Nixon is a perfect example of why all mediums of technology should be utilized. Those who listened to the debate via radio believed Nixon to be the victor, while those who watched the debate on television believed Kennedy to be the victor. The same words were heard by audiences nationwide, yet the perception of the debate depended on the medium through which it was received. I believe that television news broadcasts, although very informative, provide an additional bias to the viewer. All of us have personal biases, but adding a visual bias further obstructs and the information being communicated.
We are slowly losing a valuable form of communication. Not all talk radio is political. I have listened to broadcasts discussing topics from microorganisms living in our water to the historical significance of Iran in the Middle East. Talk radio can appeal to anyone with an interest; they just first have to seek the information.
It is quite obvious that most people agree on the issue that the talk radio is on a decline in our country. This is due to a couple different factors. First of all, the bias given on talk radio is border line ridiculous. Rather than just giving the public the facts about a specific topic, their opinion and views are so heavily integrated in their speeches that listeners are almost forced away. This causes the public to rely on other sources of media to provide them with their news. And since we are in a technologically advanced society, this is a very easy thing to do. Almost every household has a television to obtain the news one wishes to find. Also, everything is posted on the internet. Any news topic one wants to be informed about can be searched for on the internet.
Despite the public being forced away from talk radio due to biased views and advancement in technology, there was just never an emphasis on talk radio to our generation. I remember always getting mad at my dad when he would listen to talk radio in the car. I would immediately change the station back to music. I think that people will agree when I say that music provides our generation with more entertainment than talk radio would; especially with the invention of ipods. As technology continues to improve, the decline in talk radio will continue to drop.
Erin Moskos
Talk Radio?? I thought that was extinct a long time ago. Listening to talk radio would never cross my mind, especially in this day and age. We have far mor mediums to choose from than when people only had one option, sitting around a warm fire listening to talk radio. With a rising economy different types of media tend to be more effective. Today with the rapid increase in technology we can choose which of these options fits our lives better.
I believe that talk radio is irrelevant today because it is much harder to get a viewer tuned in when they are only listening. TV and interent are far more effective because people watching and listening to what is going on. This makes TV and Interent that much more appealing.
I think Zack hit the nail on the head that today's viewers have little or no time to listen to talk radio and when they do, they would rather listen to their favorite songs or Ipod.
Will
Not gonna lie ladies and gents, I listen to talk radio quite a bit. Not political talk radio, mostly sports but nonetheless I think it is very informative. I listen to talk radio mostly in the car, but with the ever increasing interest in XM and Sirius satellite radio, I can see how their audience would decline.
The youth of today grow up listening to CD's and Ipods nonstop. I'd go so far as to say that a lot of teens don't know what talk radio is. Laptops and ipods are everywhere, but the traditional AM and FM radio listeners are starting to be a dying breed. You can't blame them though, it seems like 10-15 minutes worth of material and then another 5 or 10 in commercials. Not really my style, but it seems to be the only time I get a decent opinion on sports besides ESPN.
Blane Gibson
I am not a fan of talk radio. It is harder to follow than other forms of communication and entertainment. On talk radio, you don’t get the person’s facials or gestures, making it more difficult to fully understand the message being portrayed. The generation we live in today is less apt to listen to radio as opposed to our grandparents and parents.
I agree with the article when it states that there is no going back to talk radio. Technology has advanced to much there just is so many other ways to be entertained or to obtain information. Regular radio, XM radio, iPods, DVD players, and telephones are much more preferred over talk radio. Technology is just going to keep advancing. There is going to be so many more forms of entertainment in the future. Therefore, talk radio is old fashioned and will eventually be nonexistent.
JIll Feimster
As most everyone else has mentioned...I'm not a follower of talk radio. Yes, I think of biased opinion on the current news when I think of talk radio. I don't even listen to the morning DJs on FM music stations because I get so quickly annoyed by their "my opinion is the only opinion" attitude. (No offense to these people).
Personally, I will go to the television media to follow the current news. As the article said, though, even those talk shows are biased in one way or the other. I would rather visualize the concepts than to try to just listen to them while going about my day. I really don't think talk radio is headed for extinction anytime soon, though. NPR in central Arkansas runs off of listener donation...and I believe it's still going strong.
I am not a supporter of talk radio at all. All that is discussed are things from one point of view, things blown way out of proportion or untrue, and gossip. When driving to work or school at 8am who wants to listen to people arguing or going on and on about who is dating who in the world of celebrities.
In today's society talk radio is disappearing because it's not something people want to hear about. Like the article mentioned they aren't talking about things that are even going on in the community anymore it's often just irrelevant gossip. Alost most of the time people only listen to the radio when they are in their cars and who wants to listen to someone go on and on about something in the morning on your drive to work or on the drive home from work after a long day? Nobody does. Talk radio has evolved into people ranting on the radio instead of something that is actually informative.
Amanda Rosen
I agree that talk radio sides with a particular point of view most of the time. Listeners don't want to be preached by broadcasters like Limbaugh. I know I don't. Instead of offering a ground for fair opinions and debate, commentators usually are hostile to different thoughts of views.
People also have better things to do in their lives than listen to talk radio. The majority of people turn the radio on to listen to music, not rambling talk. The reasons for talk radio's decline are apparent in itself and there is no turning back.
kenneth tran
Most people seem to think and statistics also show that younger people generally don't listen to talk radio. I on the other hand enjoy listening to talk radio. I believe it is a good way to keep up with the news or pretty much anything someone might want to know about.
I believe that XM radio opens up a lot of opportunities for young people to listen to talk radio. Whether or not young people will take this opportunity to listen is yet to be seen. For those who are interested I prefer XM channel 121.
Talk radio has indeed declined in popularity. With the stedfast growth of technology, radio appears to be fading into the background. My generation, also known as "generation next" is known to being technologically savoy. We would rather watch a politcal debate on television or our handheld dives, rather than listen to one on the radio.
I strongly believe that talk radio is getting more and more unpopular with each generation. As newer and better technology continues to grow, the less we need/use older technology.
When I think of talk radio, I think of a 6 a.m. drive to work listening to a group of biased people speak on any major headlining subject. However, I must admit that some of the radio talk shows that I have listened to are quite amusing. Fortunately, I can relate to one half of my classmates when I say that I like radio talk shows, and the other half when I say that I could do without radio talk shows.
Yeah, I think that talk radio seems a little "extinct" as Will put it and only attract those who have always listened. However, I must agree with Kelley when I say that for those of us who value OUR own opinions have the option of giving that GREAT opinion on talk radio, whereas on modern entertainment television that option does not usually exist. Even though I am lukewarm in my blog, I just feel like people should tune in to whichever form of entertainment that floats their boats.
In all reality though, besides the fact that they cannot call in with an opinion or listen to the sometimes ridculous, yet hilarious comments others make on talk radio, I do not feel that the future generation will be harmed or lose any valuable information with the absence of talk radio.
J. Ryan Duncan
Although the article would not load for me I can get the just of what is was talking about from everyone else’s posts. Talk radio does seem to be declining in this country. However, I think that it still has its place. Talk radio gives individuals a place to voice their opinions and also allows a little insight into issues current in our society.
Even though the opinions seem one sided I think it is supportive of both sides of every issue. For those who support the speakers they will listen and gain a little more knowledge than they originally had. On the other side of things, those who disagree with the speakers might finally be pushed into action. Hearing opinions they do not agree with may lead them to take actions that help support their own opinions.
Travis Woosley
I would have to agree with the majority of my peers when they say that they were never really interested in talk radio. As a child I was forced to listen to it when my mom would drive me to school. So I decided it was a form of punishment!
The author of the article made a very valid point when saying that today; there are just too many options. IPods, podcasts, and XM Radio are just a few of those options available. It is pretty obvious that talk radio is not one of the most popular to our generation. Is it sad? Yes, because I do agree with Vera that radio talk shows such as NPR are a great source for increasing knowledge. But in order for talk radio to appeal to a younger generation changes will have to be made.
People have found new and faster ways of finding information sources. Audio alone makes the messages less intrusive. When people want new information or want to read about other people’s opinions they will go to the internet or television. I think it is important for people to get different views on situations so that they can see someone else’s point of view. When talk radio shows put less emphasis on other people’s opinions, audiences start to tune out because they are only able to listen to one or two different opinions.
If I want to know something about a situation my most likely source would be the internet, because I have control over what I want to see. The internet is a faster source of information of what’s going on in the world. I do find talk radio to be interesting, but I would only listen to it if I was driving in my car. Even then I’d probably rather listen to music. I feel like talk radio does not attract viewers of all ages. I think that the new generations like to have their information faster and I think this will only continue to increase. New generations are used to having what ever information or entertainment they want all with the touch of the button. So in other words, I think that the talk radio’s audience will continue to decrease.
Ann White
.Personally, I am not a talk radio fan. The only time I listen to the radio is when I am in the car, and I really like that time to relax since it's just about the only time I get to myself. I don't find talk radio relaxing. In fact, it usually just gets me all fired up with its absurdity. I think some of those people do it just because they like hearing the sound of their own voice.
I see decline in talk radio like survival of the fittest. With all of the new technology these days, I would rather use the internet to educate myself on different subjects or blogs to voice my opinions. It is much faster and allows me to save my time in the car for singing as loudly as possible. Out with the old and in with the new!
Margaret Smith
Talk radio has become a reflection of the modern day transformation of politics. It used to be the main source for people to express their ideas or hear other people's, but is now starting to fade away. The means for communication are ever changing and talk radio is soon to be a thing of the past. Like the article mentioned, it seems to be that talk radio hosts are not attracting new audiences and are just preaching to the same choir. By not attracting new listeners, talk radio has no future in the opinions of America's future.
Like the article mentioned, this election had a huge turnout of young voters. I don't listen to talk radio and I'm sure most of the people my age don't. What's the point when we have the internet at our fingertips and we can get news straight from our phone or sent to our iPod? The article also is correct in talking about the biased opinions of the hosts of talk radio shows. They all have their own opinion now. They don't exist to let people call in and discuss the important issues like they used to. They exist now so that they can support whatever candidate they believe is the best and serve as a medium to bash the other candidate. Our generation is one of ever-changing technology. Unfortunately for talk radio, it won't be able to catch up.
Molly Metrailer
I havn't really ever heard any talk radio. I think the only thing I have listened to is this lady named Delila (not sure how to spell her name). The only time I have heard it is like when it is on the radio on my way home at like 2 in the morning. It is really amusing. It is just random people all over the country talking about their problems to this lady and then she gives her input on the situation. There is not much point to this, that is probably the reason it is on so late because its the only times they can get sponsered.
There are many reasos why less and less people are listen to talk radio. But really I just think the radio in general is becoming obsolete. Why would people listen to the radio when they can pick their own music on their ipods with no comercials. Eventually radio will probably be completely elimnated.
alex simpson
I grew up without it. There’s no side to take and no argument to make, talk radios are trickling out of the mainstream media. With the advancement of new technologies like television, satellite radios, MP3 players such as IPODS, the world wide web and other electronic devices, talk shows are phasing out and there’s no doubt about that. They have absolutely no competition against the others. I’m sure everyone agrees with that.
Besides the only time someone would listen to it would be in the car only. If I don’t have my IPOD with me then I would listen to music on the radio but never talk radios. I’m not going to lie, I do secretly like listening to HOT SHEET GOSSIP about stars on 101.9 whenever it comes on…just because I don’t have the time to read People magazine or OK! But I think that’s as close as I will get to talk radios.
It's kinda funny to read how everyone makes silly comments about how they thought talk radio was extinct and whats the point of it but I kind of like to think about those people who don't have enough money to own a tv, how are they suppose to find out the weather, know the news and such?
Everyone makes such good points but it is true in this day you can't keep people entertained by just listening, we need pictures we need action. I would agree that talk radio is on the out curve especially in recent years of downgrading, "nappy hoes" comments and such.
And even though I think talk radio is just not exciting anymore like the "fire-side chats", I still have a favorite talk radio show I like to listen to every morning.
Lindsay Scanlan
I grew up in a small town where talk radio was not popular. Whenever I was in high school I remember listening to drive time sports on my way home from. It would pass the time, but honstly I can't say I would listen to it any other time. It would amaze me how people would call in a demean athletes and coaches without even knowing them. I would always think what cowards they were when they wouldnt give their name.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, however allowing people to call in and give their first name and talk bad about others is ridiculous. Playing the sport and maintain your grades is hard enough, but having to put up with negativity from the public shouldnt have to happen. I think talk radio is okay, but if your going to cut on others and their ability you need to stop being a coward and say who you are. Have you ever wonder what these people look like, or what kind of athletes they "were" in school?
I find talk radio entertaining, even Car Talk and the one where people call in for advise about their pets. I would agree, however, that talk radio does not strongly influence my political views.
The article states one reason Americans are no longer persuaded by talk radio is that they do not expect the hosts to be reasonable or rational. To be fair, I don't think this is limited to talk radio hosts. I expect most media sources to be skewed.
I tried copying and pasting the link in the address box, but I am getting a "page not found". So I will attempt to comment on an article that I have not read by just browsing through the posts. I am with Blane. When I do listen to radio, it is sports talk radio. And the only time radio does serve a need that can't be fulfilled by some other media is when the Razorbacks aren't being aired on TV.
I think most of the posters agree that radio in general is becoming more and more irrelevant. XM and Sirius seems poised to threaten traditional radio's very existence. Ironically though, satellite radio may prove to be the only format in which radio will continue to exist as a media in the longer term. With an ever-changing listening audience, and with the ever-increasing need for customization and engagement, talk radio will likely fall out of favor with a younger America. Put succinctly, talk is cheap on traditional talk radio.
When I first get in my car, I do not automatically search for a talk radio show simply for the fact that I would rather listen to music than people talking. I do however listen to these type of shows if I can not find anything better to listen to. Many of the topics of talk radio are much too boring for me and I would rather listen to a sports show than anything else.
I know most people my age do not listen to talk radio because we were not brought up on it. My parents for example were brought up on listening to this while driving with their parents. They can listen to talk radio for long periods of time while driving as I can not. I believe it is how you were raised and whether or not you can listen to these stations on the radio.
Lauren Fielding
I've never liked talk radio, it doesn't seem to be informative but just filled with ones own personal opinion. If a caller to the show has an opinion seperate they are usually torn apart on air if they even make it on at all. I just don't care about someone elses opinion, especially that of someone that I will never meet and never be able to have a conversationw with. I care about my opinion, my family's and my friends.
It wouldn't hurt my feelings at all if talk radio disappeared. I have a television and the internet where I can learn about news and others opinions that I don't care about.
ashley hicks
When I think of talk radio, I think of things like the TV show, “Frasier” or the movie, “Sleepless in Seattle.” I associate those talk radios with emotional discussions versus political ones. I occasionally listen to the talk radio show “Delilah” on the radio on Sundays but that is still few and far between times. The people of my generation are on the go all the time, but like Zach said, with the rising gas prices, when I’m on the go it’s usually not in my car but on foot or at work or wherever it may be.
I agree with Will that our generation agrees more with the internet and television mediums. With the invention of iPhones, Blackberry, and other instant sources of portable information why would we need to listen to the radio for an hour hoping to hear the topic of conversation we want to learn about when we can just look it up in between classes? With the increases in technology, the talk radio sensation decreases. I believe talk radio will go extinct before I do.
Evan Harsh
Talk radio is not anymore something that people specially young people do. There are thousands of other ways of entertainment because of these talk radio is almost obsolet. People now prefer to watch tv listen their Ipods or get a computer and be online.
Listening to radio is just for people who always. It is clear that with the time nobody is going to do it anymore. It just does not go with the future and the new technology
Talk radio is not anymore something that people specially young people do. There are thousands of other ways of entertainment because of these talk radio is almost obsolet. People now prefer to watch tv listen their Ipods or get a computer and be online.
Listening to radio is just for people who always. It is clear that with the time nobody is going to do it anymore. It just does not go with the future and the new technology.
Jorge Villanueva
This is an unfortunate effect of technological advancements. As we become more saavy...even the older generations...we rely less on what we once viewed as a necessity. Our needs as an audience change, our opinions change and we have found new ways to express and meet those needs.
I have not listened to talk radio since before my grandfather passed away, I know the "big names" of radio only through word of mouth (and if they happen to mess up largely enough to make news through means of another media source). I think this problem stems from "feeding the beast" which is the term given to 24 hour news networks. We can get news on tv and on the internet 24 hours a day 7 days a week through every accesible means - why would you need to listen to the radio, when music is a better option anyways?
Aside from being old-fashioned, like the article says, it has rather become a source of opinions than news and few people are interested in big-headed opinions. It is a shame to lose this forum of art but it goes to show that there are new avenues of expression and news.
Talk radio is basically dead. The only reason I have ever used it is because of informational purposes. Basically to get my dailey news everyday before I entered work. The only other reason I have ever used it is because to listen to a sports talk show. This of course is when I am bored in the car listening to music which rarely happens.
The emotional talk radio is too old fashioned. If people want to hear drama, why not see it also? This is what TV brings to the audience. The gift of sight and sound is much more dramatic than just sound.
Bhavin Patel
I have never been really into talk radio. I can't really remember the last time I've listened to talk radio. If I'm in my car I'm never listening to the radio anyway. I'm always putting cds in.
I think there are not a whole lot of people that do listen to talk radio. There are so many different options for you that are more convenient then talk radio. I think the talk radio is starting to become obsolete.
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