I put together a few thoughts about the forces that impact radio and affect those who use the medium. Facts and figures are courtesy of Nielsen and National Public Radio. (My apologies to fans of 80s music for borrowing the song title!)
Kim, I think this is a really interesting diagramm. I especially like the Venn diagram for "Is Radio Just Entertainment." I do have one question: what is the relationship of "Radio Alternatives?" I was a little confused on that part. =Adam (ENG742)
I'm not entirely sure that the "radio alternatives" is a fully formed concept yet. I was thinking about the way people listen to music changing over the last decade or so. Back in the day, a person heard new songs on the radio and turned on the radio for "ambient noise" to keep motivated while doing other stuff. There are lots of other choices now to get those motivational tunes or background noise, and perhaps people are making other choices. -Kim
This is such a thoughtful visualization of a ton of information. I did have a question about the way you positioned the red arrow, which indicates "radio alternatives." The way you have placed it suggests that radio alternatives are on the exterior of the structure, sort of "hovering" out there with not much influence. I wonder, was that your intent? Because an issue like piracy seems like a big deal. Also, I was curious about the blend of things in the arrow. You have an application like Pandora, and then a "technology" like streaming, and then a device like the iPod. How do you see the things in the arrow as being related?
Interesting chart! How do you define "edification"? I think I know what you mean, but I was wondering what you had in mind when you created this chart. Also, how do you feel the change move from radio to TV or to another medium affects the message (Audio to Audio/ Visual)?
Lovely diagram! I'm wondering what else there is to be done with the idea of radio and multitasking... do you see the nature of radio as a medium that can be absorbed while one is engaged in multiple other activities, like eating, driving, cleaning, etc., as particularly unique? Might the potential for multitasking, or even the specific task or activity in which a person participates while they are listening, influence the way that radio-mediated information gets processed?
I'm interested in the multitasking as well. It seems to me as a radio listener that commercials are structured to try to overcome the fact that listeners are dividing their attention. (loud content, using ear-worm-type jingle that sticks in listeners' heads, that sort of thing)
I was thinking about edification in terms of turning on the radio with the intent of really listening. If I turn on the radio for music, I expect to half ignore what's on, but enjoy the tunes as background. I regard turning on the radio for a weather report or to listen to news on public radio or traffic reports as "edification" and I'm actively seeking the information. I am more a passive consumer with the music.
I think sometimes the radio-TV leap doesn't work all that well. Howard Stern might be the only one that's been very successful in both areas. (Personally, I like This American Life as a radio show and have actually sat in my parking spot to finish listening to a segment. Critics haven't been impressed with its TV component, though, and I haven't watched any more than the promo episodes that came with some HBO show we got through Netflix.)
I think we can be distracted by visuals. In some cases, letting individual listeners imagine for themselves (audio-only media) can actually be more powerful and personal than showing them everything visually.
I think I do see those "alternatives" as outside forces upon the traditional medium.
You raise a good point about separating the technologies from the applications. (Thanks for your suggestion.) I was focusing on the ways a person might acquire or discover new music these days and seemed to have emptied the brainstorming session into that arrow.
Kim,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really interesting diagramm. I especially like the Venn diagram for "Is Radio Just Entertainment." I do have one question: what is the relationship of "Radio Alternatives?" I was a little confused on that part.
=Adam (ENG742)
Hello Adam,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment.
I'm not entirely sure that the "radio alternatives" is a fully formed concept yet. I was thinking about the way people listen to music changing over the last decade or so. Back in the day, a person heard new songs on the radio and turned on the radio for "ambient noise" to keep motivated while doing other stuff. There are lots of other choices now to get those motivational tunes or background noise, and perhaps people are making other choices.
-Kim
This is such a thoughtful visualization of a ton of information. I did have a question about the way you positioned the red arrow, which indicates "radio alternatives." The way you have placed it suggests that radio alternatives are on the exterior of the structure, sort of "hovering" out there with not much influence. I wonder, was that your intent? Because an issue like piracy seems like a big deal. Also, I was curious about the blend of things in the arrow. You have an application like Pandora, and then a "technology" like streaming, and then a device like the iPod. How do you see the things in the arrow as being related?
ReplyDeleteHi--
ReplyDeleteInteresting chart! How do you define "edification"? I think I know what you mean, but I was wondering what you had in mind when you created this chart. Also, how do you feel the change move from radio to TV or to another medium affects the message (Audio to Audio/ Visual)?
Lovely diagram! I'm wondering what else there is to be done with the idea of radio and multitasking... do you see the nature of radio as a medium that can be absorbed while one is engaged in multiple other activities, like eating, driving, cleaning, etc., as particularly unique? Might the potential for multitasking, or even the specific task or activity in which a person participates while they are listening, influence the way that radio-mediated information gets processed?
ReplyDeleteHi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in the multitasking as well. It seems to me as a radio listener that commercials are structured to try to overcome the fact that listeners are dividing their attention. (loud content, using ear-worm-type jingle that sticks in listeners' heads, that sort of thing)
Hi Avery,
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about edification in terms of turning on the radio with the intent of really listening. If I turn on the radio for music, I expect to half ignore what's on, but enjoy the tunes as background. I regard turning on the radio for a weather report or to listen to news on public radio or traffic reports as "edification" and I'm actively seeking the information. I am more a passive consumer with the music.
I think sometimes the radio-TV leap doesn't work all that well. Howard Stern might be the only one that's been very successful in both areas. (Personally, I like This American Life as a radio show and have actually sat in my parking spot to finish listening to a segment. Critics haven't been impressed with its TV component, though, and I haven't watched any more than the promo episodes that came with some HBO show we got through Netflix.)
I think we can be distracted by visuals. In some cases, letting individual listeners imagine for themselves (audio-only media) can actually be more powerful and personal than showing them everything visually.
Hi Rachel,
ReplyDeleteI think I do see those "alternatives" as outside forces upon the traditional medium.
You raise a good point about separating the technologies from the applications. (Thanks for your suggestion.) I was focusing on the ways a person might acquire or discover new music these days and seemed to have emptied the brainstorming session into that arrow.