Audience Demand for Radio

I believe that the most influential force in shaping the booming of the radio in the 1920's was a mix of technological advancements and the overall demand of radio from the audience. These factors allowed radio to become an intricate part of America. For a while, nobody really knew the great things radio could do for a country. 

People began demanding radio because it was such an advancement in terms of technology. They had never had something like this. They got all the latest news, stories, etc. Entertainment was a big part of radio as music became an outlet for emotion and feeling. People began living their lives around the radio and so happens the radio industry. All of this would not have been possible without the technology it encompassed. Because people developed ways to communicate through wires is the biggest reason why the radio industry grew to huge levels.

Because a large part of America was listening to the radio, advertisers saw this as a perfect opportunity to get across to consumers. Thus, the radio evolution began when money got involved. Broadcast networking gave the people a chance to listen to what they wanted to while receiving ads for the latest products in between the news and their favorite programs. The radio revolution began with technological advancements and an overall demand from the audience.

Pic from:http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/radio-show-1.jpg

The Social Learning Theory

I think the concept of the social learning theory helped me understand the screenings of Tough Guise/Killing Us Softly even more than I would have. The social learning theory is the theory that people become what they see on the tv, computer, or even cell phone screen. The social learning theory cultivated over time since the start of television and media and extends to us even now. The behavior of the characters of their favorite show influence the viewer so much that they slowly but surely start to act, behave and become just like what they watch. When you really think about it, it kind of happens without us really even knowing about or even realizing the changes in our overall mood or behavior.

My childhood friends were always into wrestling and WWF. They would watch it all the time. Me, not so much. I was way too much into star wars and science fiction in general. But as we grew up I started seeing a significant change in how they acted.They were no longer my cool friends that I would play with at recess, but the bullies that caused all the trouble in school. My guess is that as they grew, watching tv and the violence of wresting looked cool to them and that exuded onto their behavioral patterns. Whatever it was, I didn't want to be associated with those troublemakers or else my mom would have smacked the "force" out of me.




The lecture and the readings made me realize that what we watch can influence our own lives. It is good to not overanalyze things we see on the screen. The social learning theory can explain many patterns in society all together, just like it did for me in my childhood.















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http://weblogs.wpix.com/sports/thehuddle/image/WWE%20RAW%20PIC.jpg

Agenda Setting Uncovered

I think the concept of agenda setting helped me understand the 2008 Presidential Election even more than I had before by allowing me to look beyond emotions and at the true issues going on during the election. Agenda setting is a tool the media or a candidate uses to influence what the viewer thinks about.  Through agenda setting, most of the stories, articles, headlines, etc. will focus on an issue the media/candidate wants covered. By putting a spotlight on a certain issue the media/candidate outlets gain control of a person's mindset when that person makes conversation, and most importantly, decisions.

This is exactly what happened in the 2008 Presidential Election. Emotions played a significant part in the election. The media focused on Barack Obama potentially becoming the 1st African-American President, and harped on the change and hope he would bring to a country whose current leader who was not too cool with the people. This is actually what Obama's campaign was all about, not focusing on the issues of the day like the War in Iraq or the economy or recycling, but the intended "hope" he would bring back to America. Obama's campaign sparked what American's talked about and ultimately they thought of when placing there ballots in the voting booths.

With strategies like agenda setting, the media and certain candidates have the power to sway the people to come on in and join there vote. Going into the voting booths with a clear vision on the "real" issues of the world can be hard when the media is only showing what they want. That is why making the right judgement is key when making a decision that might just might change your way of life.


Photos from:
http://techbuddha.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/obama-hope.jpg
http://evilvince.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/barack_obama_change_fairey.jpg
http://www.kpao.org/blog/2008/12/20/hope-change-obama.gif