Tecnological Change: The Evolution of the Radio Industry

    
       Technological change is the biggest factor in shaping the radio industry because it provides the innovations for the industry to be modeled around.

       Technological change was the initial force that set the radio industry into motion. Without the architecture of technological change, the radio industry would never have been built. Technological change begins with an invention created by an isolated group or person. If this invention can create an industry or improve an already existing one, it has a chance of spreading to a large amount of consumers over time.

       From Marconi's invention of the radio telegraph to Sarnoff's concept of the household music box to today's satellite radio, advancements in technology continue to redefine the radio business. New and useful inventions in radio have a tendency to become integrated into the industry. Often times, the original inventor does not see profits or their invention may be popularized after their death. Such an example of the latter is Edwin Armstrong's invention of FM technology.

Be Afraid, Be Skinny, and Don't Drink Merlot: Exploring Cultivation Theory

      The average media consumer in it's natural habitat

 

Repeated ideas in television and movies can affect the behaviors of those who observe them. Often times this can lead to false or exaggerated perceptions. This phenomenon is known as cultivation theory.
The media can influence us by presenting distorted information or repeatedly defining a certain ideal.  

 Seriously, put down the Vogue and pick up a doughnut.

       Examples of this can be seen today whether it's women who believe that they have to be unnaturally skinny like girls in magazines or people in an uproar about a threat which is either very rare or not as dangerous as portrayed. We can see this with the public reaction to media coverage to last year's outbreak of swine flu or the infamous “mad cow disease”. People tend to react to perceived threats of danger to their lives even if there is little or no reason to worry.

"That's 100% pinot noir. Single vineyard. They don't even make it any more."

 

       It seems that many subcultures are susceptible to cultivation theory as well. When Alexander Payne's Sideways hit theaters in 2004, wine enthusiasts everywhere took notice to protagonist Miles' (Played by Paul Giamatti) distaste for Merlot. The character actually impacted the wine market due to a sudden decrease in consumers buying Merlot and an increase in Pinot Nior, his preference.

Getting Framed: Jon Stewart Does Glenn Beck

       Political comedy functions largely by picking an enemy and making and making an ass out of him. Jon Stewart shapes the opinions of a large number of his viewers through parody and bringing out the foolish side of figures in modern day politics and media.  The Daily Show with Jon Stewart relies heavily on Framing to deliver it's message.
       Framing is a tool used in media that reflects the intentions of the messenger to encourage the viewer to think about an issue or person in a certain way.  This can be done by selecting specific information to divulge about the issue or person being discussed.  Often times framing can be achieved by a form of commentary from a third party. Commentary about an issue or person can be delivered subtly or overtly and it can be positive and negative.
       One example of Framing on The Daily Show is Jon Stewart's comedic portrayal of Fox News personality Glenn Beck.  Stewart parodies the talk show host's unorthodox method of “teaching” the audience with a blackboard. Stewart also mocks Beck's attitude that America is facing impending and serious danger and flails himself around dramatically.  Stewart highlights his disagreement with Glenn Beck by first showing an unflattering clip from his show and then responding to it.  The careful selection of clips as well as humorous commentary is geared towards characterizing Beck as a paranoid zealot.

Watch: (Feel free to skip the MSNBC bits)