All Your Radio Are Belong To Us.

Technological advancements in the 1920's paved the way for radio's massive expansion by introducing improved and more sophisticated methods of broadcasting.

Changes in technology make our lives easier and more pleasurable.  Ever since the wheel's inception, humanity has been on a roll, whipping up all sorts of gizmos and gadgets ranging from the simplistic household toaster all the way to the bionic eye.  These advancements cause repercussions that shape societies in countless ways politically, socially, and economically.  An example of this besides the radio would be the automobile.  Revolutionizing travel, the car went from a toy for the rich to a necessity for most American homes.  The automobile decreased the time it took to get from point A to point B and brought everyone a little closer to each other, much like the radio did in the 1920's.

There were many players that helped skyrocket the radio's success in America.  Arguably the most important was Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of the "wireless telegraph" that encoded messages using radio waves.  Marconi's invention not only helped bring radio to the American public, but it was also key in saving many lives from the Titanic after the ship sent radio distress calls over the Marconi wireless system.  Marconi was also successful in inspiring the Police, who's song "Message In A Bottle" owes all of its success to the inventor.  This technological advancement brought entertainment to American society in the 1920's through the form of talk shows, news, music, and more.  Without geniuses like Marconi and his wireless telegraph, radio would not be what it is today.    

Can't Cultivate Me.

     The cultivation theory explains the infection spreading itself throughout humanity, much like an STD from a sorority house.  This theory also assists me in my perpetual confusion as to America's obsession with tanning.  It has helped me realize that the media could be to blame for all the walking leather chairs and recent rise in Lexol's stock prices.  Or maybe that's just Pauly D doing Pauly D.

     The cultivation theory attempts to analyze media's long term effects on its audience.  Because the media is so prevalent in today's society, its hard not to become consumed in it all.  From violent television shows to scandalous Victoria's Secrets ads, the media is subliminally implanting lasting ideas into the minds of children and adults alike, as if they thought they were Leonardo DiCaprio in Inception.  Films such as "Tough Guise" and "Killing Us Softly" capture this phenomenon perfectly, showcasing how the media is successfully instilling stereotypes, like strong guys must be strong and pretty girls must be pretty.  Another example of cultivation is the frequent cast of ridiculously tan television stars.

     Popular television shows such as The Jersey Shore seemed to be filled to the brim with tan people.  Hell, even their main slogan "GTL' has tan right in the middle.  So its no wonder that teens, young adults, and desperate old timers are hopping on the band wagon and straight into the tanning bed.  When a person's life is mostly absorbed in media, and that media stock's itself with people who look like wanna be brownies, the media is sending the message that to be cool, you must be tan.  The cultivation theory explains this frequent occurrence with perfection.  Basically, society is advertising's bitch. Don't be that bitch.

  

Apple, Rotten to the Core?

Most are familiar with Apple Inc., the corporation giant responsible for the iPhone, iPod, and Mac Computer line.  However, not all people know of Apple's perpetual use of hegomonistic advertising they so delicately force down their customer's throats.  While surfing Apple's website today I noticed their section "Hot News."  This division of apple.com covers all the hot news topics....that include people dropping down to their knees and worshipping the ground Steve Jobs stands on.  With titles like, "iPad Opens Up New Worlds for Autistic Children" and "There’s Magic on Your Desktop," its no wonder how Apple has become so popular.  The company uses the process "gatekeeping" in order to pick and choose what the public reads, allowing Apple to remain in good light.

Gatekeeping refers to the process by which stories are either published or thrown to the curb.  These gatekeepers can use stories that help their overall goal succeed and erase those that don't.  In Apple's case, they choose to publish stories that help their company grow.  By utilizing this controversial method, companies establish a hegemony over their opponents and gain the advantage.

Although the news stories included in the "Hot News" section of Apple's website may be true, the exclusion of negative news articles about Apple's products make me think.  Yet, you really can't blame them for not posting stories that could harm their company.  Much like when I met that cute girl last night.  I conveniently forgot to mention my hobby of mouse taxidermy. 

"Hot News":

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/

This blog is blogging me down.

As Randy Jackson once said, "Dawg pound, we got a hot one tonight!" This intellectually inspiring quotation exclaimed by one of the greatest icons of the 21st century kickstarted my career plans years ago. Ever since Randy captivated me with his awe inspiring words, I knew I had to work for the Idol crew. Whether it be as a screenwriter, script supervisor, or an episodic television writer/producer I wanted to join Randy's family. Then I thought, what better way to reach this goal than to take a course that covers all aspects of radio, television, and film? So here I am, trying to get through this course and prove to Simon that I'm not rubbish like these guys:

More words of wisdom from The Randy Jackson: http://www.westwoodone.com/blog?categoryID=4&memberID=333&dest=/pg/jsp/randyjackson/blogarchive.jsp