Despite the current news reports, the world is a wonderfully wonderful place. A place where peace and harmony are the status quo, and discord an anomalous inconvenience. There is hope and joy round every corner, and the good guy always gets the girl. Robbers are just nice guys down on their luck. Taxes are for the common good. And Al Gore really did deserve the Nobel Peace Prize.
Absurdity you say? Not at all. Hyperbole? Far from it.
How can such a claim be made? It’s very simple. Listen to the radio.
Listening to the radio makes the world a better place because it’s a bastion of community in an individual society. Maybe it’s realizing that we’re not alone in cursing civic engineers at rush hour. Perhaps it’s the frantic race to be “caller number 10.” Or could it be the collective laughter when “caller number 10” actually admits to an N’Sync tattoo on his backside? Whatever it is, the radio unites. Where iPods force us apart, the radio brings us together. In doing so, it allows us to laugh at corrupt governors with bad haircuts, critique Britney’s latest comeback, and dispense free coaching advice on our way to the day job. This catharsis keeps one sane, and the glass half full.
The radio makes the world a better place because it keeps the focus on everyone and everything, except oneself. Go ahead, switch the alarm from the siren setting to your local country station, see what happens to your morning routine. Chances are, the first thought in your mind tomorrow morning will be how in the world someone can sing about wanting to “check [their girlfriend] for ticks.” Though admittedly this may not be the most appealing thought to dwell on, it sure does beat the self-pity of typical Monday morning ruminations. That’s what radio does, it distracts us from ourselves. Rather than dwelling on to-do lists, the radio exposes us to new songs, new trends, and new people. This process reminds us that we’re just not that important. Such humility goes a long way in keeping society kind.
In short, there’s very few resources with the power of radio. It frees one to laugh at a neighbor’s first date horror story. To commiserate with fellow sports fans after a tough loss. Sing along to songs that you’d never admit to. And remind oneself of the world beyond.
So make the world a better place. Bring Back The Radio.
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3 comments:
They've tried that with Sirius and XM. That company is about to go bankrupt. But I agree, nothing like waking up to Eric and Kathy.
I'm not sure I agree. I mean couldn't you argue the same thing about television? I'm not sure how much uniting it really does. I might use the term entertainment, by understanding it as a medium used to distract one from the bland reality of one's own existence by turning his gaze outward. Also amusement-amuse, being the absence of reflective thought. There is something that connects the listeners, but no more than the television with viewers and if anything I would call that divisive.
Quick thoughts Chrystal
In response to Daniel:
Sirius and XM are satellite radio...COMPLETELY different than a local radio station, note that the good local stations are not going bankrupt.
p.s. Bring Back the Roommate.
In response to Chrystal.
1. TV is a completely different phenomenon from radio. Where local radio is interactive, TV is passive. Where local radio responds, TV dictates. Where local radio induces thought, TV silences the mind.
2. "Amusement- the absence of reflective thought." I'd have to completely disagree with this definition of amusement. If this were the case, my most enjoyable mechanisms of amusement would no longer be considered amusement.
3. In Chicago the only thing radio divides are Cubs fans and Sox fans...and they already hate each other so there's no harm done there.
4. The Radio....give it time.
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