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Show Opinion Radio could return to its former glory 4 TUESDAY, JULY 28, 2015 Podcasting has become such a dominant part of our culture that it’s hard to remember a time when we listened to anything else. In the presence of so many entertainment options, radio has become an underrated medium that’s more deserving of attention. Americans have been contented by the hyper-stimulating entertainment of modern films, television and video games. As our selection becomes increasingly plentiful, we lose sight of things that still have a considerable amount of entertainment value. One of the biggest casualties of this paradigm shift is radio. Additional options exist outside of traditional radio for people who want this kind of entertainment. Instead of radio, they rely on streaming services—like Pandora and Spotify—satellite radio or YouTube. There’s nothing wrong with using any of these options as they provide users with a larger selection of high-quality material without requiring much effort. Creative people who once would pursue a career in radio have many different options that provide them with much more freedom. The ways people distribute their programs allow for them to reach larger potential audiences. The biggest issue that the rise of internet media creates is the diminishing importance of the radio we once knew. No longer can WWW.WSUSIGNPOST.COM ALLEN GLINES @imallenglines columnist radio professionals speak freely over the airwaves without fear of fines or other consequences. They have to create a program that’s both entertaining, digestible and acceptable to a universal audience. At the same time, we have to consider the audience that’s unable to access the internet or use streaming services. They need a solid form of entertainment when they tune in. As talented professionals ditch traditional radio in favor of other options, a talent vacuum is created. In the presence of a talent vacuum, the listening audience is forced to cooperate while being subjected to on-air talent who can’t carry the weight of hosting their own show. The pool of talent in radio is diluted and runs out quickly after a pretty short list of names. There isn’t much competition to fill in for the people who are leaving. University radio programs exist for the sole purpose of providing students who are interested in radio with the training ground they need to become more comfortable on the air and learn the fundamentals. The demand for these programs is diminishing, which will inevitably lead SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA, PUBLIC DOMAIN Ronald Reagan worked as a radio broadcaster, specializing in sports play-by-play announcing between 1932 and 1937 to their obsolescence in the future. Students operate under the assumption that they can succeed in this field without needing any sort of degree. There might be some truth to this. However, there’s nothing wrong with attending communication classes to learn the basics. After a great deal of practice, students will have what they need to become skilled broadcasters. Creativity is reaching its zenith in the digital age, which has allowed countless individuals to present their best material to larger audiences than ever before. There are people that say the dominance of internet media has changed the definition of radio altogether. They’re right. But there’s no reason that this change has to be anything other than positive. Dealing with a medium that places all the emphasis on the host’s voice requires quite a bit more creativity than media that are more visual. A radio professional that’s able to entertain or captivate should be given more credit than their video-dependent counterparts. The Federal Communications Commission needs to relax their restrictions on all forms of broadcast media. These rules were put in place at a time when society was more conservative. Public airwaves are being wasted on material that would fall flat elsewhere. Rather than complaining about this problem, the powers that be need to exert their influence to fix it. If they don’t, they have no one to blame but themselves if radio ever becomes extinct. Comment on this column at wsusignpost.com Kindness: The answer to social issues FROM THE It seems like everything on the news lately has been gun violence here, another suicide bomber there, and meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats can’t even agree if it’s pronounced tomaTOE or tomaTAH. Obviously, change needs to happen. As Americans, we can’t keep being angry and stomping our feet and hoping something will change. Protests and meager partisan legislation do no lasting good for Americans. If US citizens are truly committed to social change, it needs to come from a change in individuals’ perspectives of others. I believe we’re all born good, with a desire to do what’s right and wholesome. Traumatic experiences that alter thought processes or needs consis- EDITOR tently being neglected over time and on a consistent basis (see Maslow’s hierarchy of needs) encourage antisocial attitudes, and I mean this in the legal and psychological sense, not the wallflower-at-parties way—behaviors that can be dangerous. With this thought in mind, the best way to reduce behaviors that lead to violent crimes is to start at home, making sure children are loved and cared for by healthy and happy adults. If home problems cannot be helped, children in dangerous situations need to be given the tools and support they need to succeed. It’s no wonder to me that a lot of violent crime happens in lower income inherently good and turn “bad” only through the influence of negative, ex@AbbyPayne94 ternal forces that change internal processes, is it not columnist the duty of every member of society to reduce their areas. Usually, individuals negative social footprint? In many ways, society is and families who live there struggle in more than one already responding to unway. Maybe Mom or Dad met needs. Food pantries can’t pay the bills and are and food assistance prodesperate for cash, or there grams help impoverished are medical issues eating families get the nutrition up the family’s resources, they need while housor maybe the teenagers are ing projects and shelters involved with something provide shelter to those they shouldn’t be and don’t who can’t afford rent or know how to make good mortgage payments. After-school programs like choices. No matter the prob- the Boys and Girls Club lem, someone in the mix of America give at-risk children is not getting what he or school-aged she needs, so they act out, and youth a place where taking what is needed in they can learn, grow and an unacceptable way and receive positive interacdrawing the attention of tion from adults who care about them. police and the media. But most social aid proJust as the problem is a social problem, the solu- grams only address the tion comes through social first two rungs of Maslow’s change. If all people are hierarchy of needs, physi- ABIGAIL PAYNE ological needs and physical safety. What I’m calling for is for society to rise up and begin to recognize the emotional needs of others and do what can be done to help those in vulnerable positions. I can’t honestly think of a social program like Boys and Girls Club or a homeless shelter that could help someone feel like they belong. Something like that has to happen on an individual basis. As individuals, we need to learn to accept and appreciate those around us for who they are and what they can become, not snipe at shortcomings or differences. True personal happiness doesn’t come from gossiping and back-biting. It comes from accepting and learning from others. That acceptance, first external then internal, encourages feelings of love and belonging. Once the need for love from oth- ers is fulfilled, individuals can begin to learn to love themselves and ascend Maslow’s hierarchy. I’m not saying that we have to be friends with everyone and ignore the wrong things they do— that doesn’t fix anything either. It only perpetuates inappropriate behavior. What I’m saying is that we need to stop trying to make ourselves and others fit into neat little molds of “pretty,” “smart” or “talented,” those who don’t fit being labeled as “ugly,” “stupid” or “worthless.” Personal value, like jewels and people, come in every shape, size and color. In order to find and perpetuate true social change, we need to find the personal strength to appreciate and accept others, as well as address more basic needs. Comment on this column at wsusignpost.com Editor-in-Chief Abby Payne abigail.payne@hotmail.com A&E Editor Emilee Atkinson emileeatkinson@mail.weber.edu Digital Content Coordinator Danny Rubio drbe4t@gmail.com Office Manager Georgia Edwards gedwards@weber.edu Managing Editor J. Michaela Funtanilla mkfuntanilla@gmail.com S&T Editor Kellie Plumhof kellieplumhof@mail.weber.edu Photo Editor Emily Crooks emilysteckbauer@mail.weber.edu Ad Manager Shelley Hart shelleyhart@weber.edu News Editor Michael Grennell mjgrennell@gmail.com Spanish Editor Ingrid Maldonado ingridmaldonado@mail.weber.edu Webmaster Liz Ruttenbur lizruttenbur@weber.edu Sports Editor Charles Bowker cbowk.91@gmail.com Chief Copy Editor Cole Eckhardt eckhardtco@gmail.com Adviser Jean Reid Norman jeannorman@weber.edu The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University students. Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and to refuse to print any letter. Letters should be submitted online to thesignpost@weber.edu and read Letter to the Editor in the subject box. Letters should not exceed 350 words. |