Technological Changes in Radio

Radio has come a long way from where it first started; anyone can agree to that. Radio first started out as sound coming from "a box." Technological change has recreated radio from this standpoint. Radio is no longer just sounds coming from a box, but sounds coming from many different devices. Everyone can find a way to listen to the radio.


Not only has technological change helped give radio a better sound, but it has helped radio become more widespread. Coming from just a box, it developed into more programs for a more wide-spead audience. More channels developed, and eventually when the Internet showed up, radio became more available. Satellite radio emerged, providing "commerical free" channels, and more channels for listeners. The Internet provides websites, such as Pandora, Myspace, etc, for users to listen to. More artists have been exposed because of technological change, letting radio become more free and available.


  Radio in the 20's was mainly shows, like Woody Allen's favorite shows in the film Radio Days. Radio in the 20's emerged as entertainment; technological change took place, however, and radio advanced into more broadcasting for a mass audience. Eventually, the FM radio developed. FM radio provided a more clear sound. Music on the radio became more popular in the 50's because of FM; FM made it more enjoyable to listen to music. Broadcasting radio faded away, while music took hold of the radio industry. Technological change was a huge part in this because it provided more uses of the radio.

Priming

There are many different theories relating to the media and the effect it has on society. Ranging from the hypodermic needle to the social learning theory, they all have different outlooks on what the media does. The theory of priming, however, really grabbed my attention for some odd reason; maybe because I recognize it in society the most.


Priming has to do with "media images activate or stimulate related thoughts and behaviors". So pretty much, the media thinks it has us all figured out. The advertisers sincerely believe they know what we want and how we react to certain objects. For an example, in the film Killing Us Softly, the issues discussed are the way women are used as objects in advertisement. The advertisers that put these images of women in provocative poses believe that this is what people want to see. Women will want to buy the products being advertised because they want to be sexy or alluring like the women in the ad; men will be attracted to the ads and want to invest in the product. 


The advertisers believe they know what we want to see and how to conceal us in their trap. You can't blame it all on the advertisers, though, because aren't we the ones buying into their products?

Mainting Hegemony

Hegemony is such a weird word. To be quite honest with you, I had never really thought about the word until I took RTF 305. While it's a really weird word, it has so much to do with today's media; in fact, it describes our media. The media is here to control and dominate.


The media controls what we watch, listen to, and even what we are attracted to. They decide what new television show will get an enormous amount of attention or what product will be used the most from users. The media does these things through hegemony, gate-keeping, agenda setting, and framing.


An example that really pops up in my mind is reality television. Reality television has become a HUGE part of today's society. Shows such as Jersey Shore, The Real World, and The City, have became dominate shows of television. The media has thrown these types of shows out there knowing that people want addictive drama, gossip, and action; hegemony has controlled society in a way where it pushes people to feel the urge to keep up with other people's lives and escape from their own. Reality television is exactly that.


I found this documentary on YouTube discussing reality television and hegemony:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppMfMOhf-ig