Radio's Competition and Decline - Wikis 4-8

4. iTunes - Steve Jobs and the Apple team rolled iTunes 1 out on January 9, 2001. The first edition of iTunes was primitive, and lacked many of the commodities that we have today. You couldn't burn CD's on an external drive, and there was no iTunes Store, so buying music at $0.99 a track directly through iTunes was not possible at that point. To this point, Apple has released 10 updated versions of iTunes, with each version have small updates within each version. As of right now, Apple is at iTunes 10.4.

5. Sirius Satellite Radio - Satellite radio in the United States was born in 1992 when the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated a spectrum in the "S" band (2.3 GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS). In 1997, two companies received licenses for digital satellite radio initiatives. CD Radio (Now Sirius Satellite Radio) and American Mobile Radio (now XM Satellite Radio). Sirius Radio was officially launched ,on July 1, 2002.

6. Pandora Internet Radio - Since 2004, Pandora has been one of the most popular Internet radio services for music listeners. The company launched as a publicly traded company in 2011 to raise the billions needed to keep the venture growing. Though revenues have exceed $100 million, Pandora has yet to turn a consistent profit. This is due largely to the immense costs of operating the site. Investors and music industry analysts still expect Pandora to grow exponentially in the coming years however.

7. iPods - In 2001, Apple and Steve Jobs rolled out the sidekick to their revolutionary iTunes, and that was the iPod. Primitive at first, the iPod was popular from day one, and as years went by, Apple released updated models, and more variety. Since some of the latest touch screen models have radio apps, the iPod has helped in what we can now say may be the downfall of radio as we know it.

8. Big corporations - In case you thought that inventions were the only thing stopping radio dead in it's tracks, think again. Much of the blame falls on big corporations that buy out all of the smaller radio stations (aka, the local ones) and put in less known DJ's who suck. Many of the big names are being fired weekly, and this is causing a mass shift in how we listen to our music these days.

Documentary Week Essay (Midterm)

      Throughout the last week, we viewed several documentaries in class that depicted things in the government and in society that we are unaware. Many of these things are kept secret for a reason, but then there are crazy guys like Alex Jones who decide that for the American good, to go off and try to expose them for they really are. But is doing that really worth it? Is the release of top secret information REALLY for the American good? I would like to think not. For example, when we were watching Police State 4: The Rise of FEMA, all Jones would talk about is the fact that FEMA and government were working together, building camps that people knew nothing about, and then putting citizens in those camps, forcing them to face hard labor. Now, that kind of information alone would appall anyone, especially me. But the thought that America could actually have concentration camps to some degree in unbelievable. I certainly hope that on that note, you Mr. Jones are sadly mistaken.

      The madness does not end there. In the second Alex Jones documentary we viewed entitled The Fall of the Republic, Jones continued with the conspiracy approach by talking about how President Obama is more of a dictator than a president.  He also mentioned a variety of executive orders the Obama signed, far too many for me to mention, but none of them had been mentioned the news at all. Hmmmm....I can only wonder about that. Maybe it's because that they NEVER HAPPENED?! Everyone knows that anything that the president signs is always covered by at least one person in the media, and I am not talking about Alex Jones. Sir, the fact that you would even consider Barack Obama to be a dictator is cruel and beyond low. He is a great man, and has done a lot for the nation since he took office. Sure, some of his decisions may have been questionable, but all in all, he has done a fine job in my opinion.

       The last documentary that I will mention is even worse than the two Alex Jones ones that we watched, and he isn't even in this one! The last documentary we viewed was entitled Food Incorporated. I am sorry, but after watching that, I couldn't eat a thing for a least a day or longer. That was some of the most disgusting things I have ever bared witness to. Especially the chicken story. Good grief! How could you stand to watch this? The fact that the government knows about all of this stuff going on with our food and does nothing about shocks me. It almost as if they actually want some of the population to get sick and die...truth perhaps? I hope to God that I never find out, because if that is the case, I am out of here! As of right now, knowing what I know about America, Canada doesn't sound too bad right now.

Shattered Glass Ops

New Bipartisan Law Would Make Dog Neckerchiefs Mandatory

WASHINGTON—Cutting short its Columbus Day recess, Congress held a special emergency session this weekend to push through comprehensive legislation requiring every dog in the United States to wear a neckerchief, with both parties hailing the outcome as a "major step forward for the nation" and "downright adorable."
Spurred by recent statistics indicating only one in five American dogs currently wears a bandanna around its neck, Democrats and Republicans reportedly reached across the aisle in a rare display of bipartisanship, working through long-held differences on acceptable colors, designs, and knotting styles to pass the landmark bill.
"I'm proud we have put politics aside and taken this decisive step toward putting our dogs in neckerchiefs and keeping them in neckerchiefs for generations to come," said Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), a co-sponsor of the bill and owner of two schnauzers who has long pushed for congressional action to ensure all canines can be "absolutely precious." "While it's unfortunate our country had to wait so many years for this legislation, it does not diminish the joy we all feel today knowing that American dogs will now be more lovable than at any other point in our nation's history."


"Every single citizen—dog owners and non-dog-owners alike—will reap the benefits of this law," Whitfield continued. "It's so cute, you don't even know."
Officially known as the American Canine Collar Enhancement Act of 2011, the 214-page bill was held up in committee for days as members hammered out its finer points. Congressional staffers confirmed the bill was nearly derailed Saturday following an argument between Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) over the permissibility of tropical-patterned neckerchiefs, a contentious exchange that led to Boehner defiantly walking out of negotiations.
Republican leaders were brought back to the bargaining table hours later, sources said, when Democrats agreed to an amendment mandating that all dogs be required to wear an American flag bandanna on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
"I was initially hesitant to support legislation this extensive," Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said. "But when [Sen. Bob] Corker [R-TN] brought that golden retriever onto the floor with the red paisley scarf tied around its neck, I knew we needed to move swiftly and decisively."
"Aw, just look at the guy," added Schumer, holding up a photograph.
Under the language of the bill, acceptable dog-bandanna combinations would include a beagle with a plaid bandanna, a Boston terrier with a hot pink bandanna, a pug wearing a yellow bandanna fastened by a decorative pin, a dachshund with a bandanna tied around its neck like a cape, an Old English sheepdog wearing a bandanna embroidered with its name, and a pair of bulldogs sporting matching Detroit Red Wings bandannas.
According to the Congressional Record, a competing bill put forth by Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) calling for all dogs to be dressed in little doggy sweaters was immediately rejected by a unanimous chorus of nays.
Despite passing both houses with comfortable margins, the neckerchief law has been strongly condemned by its detractors, among them a coalition of novelty dog collar manufacturers that opposes any version of the legislation that does not provide tax incentives to the industry, and Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), a noted cat lover.
"It's completely ludicrous," Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), who voted against the bill, said on Meet The Press Sunday. "This law, if you can believe it, specifically mandates that the point of all triangularly folded neckerchiefs face directly downward along a dog's chest at all times. What is Washington thinking? Where I'm from, we know that a bandanna that's askew to one side is the most darling look of all."
While opponents have vowed to seek the legislation's repeal in court, a Zogby poll conducted Sunday found that 83 percent of Americans supported the law and that the congressional approval rating had received a notable bump from its passage.
"It's gratifying to know we have done right by our constituents," Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) said. "We all may look back on this one day as the moment when we really started to turn things around in this country."
As of press time, an estimated 800,000 dogs had been euthanized for failing to comply with the new law.

Early music video!

MTV launched on August 1, 1981. But, WHO was doing music videos at the time??? Well, I managed to find one from 1983, which should give you an idea of what MTV was like back in the day...in my opinion, it was waaaaaayyyyy better than it is today.

Earliest Forms of Media Essay

Media began when God created the heavens and the earth, and started with word of mouth, the first form of communication. The first humans to speak were Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Speech continued to be the only form of communication for some time, until in 3,000 BC, when the Egyptians began using what is now known as hieroglyphics. Using this system, they were able to write messages and stories using symbols and pictures. Many other civilizations around this time began to use similar systems when establishing a writting system. The use of hieroglyphics then is what led to the development of the first alphabet by the Greeks in 1000 BC. With the development of the alphabet, people could now write using letters, and because of this could actually write quicker than ever. Today, we still use an alphabet, but it has been redeveloped since the original Greek one. But, without the Greeks, we would still be using pictures to write with.

Once a system of writing had been established, there was now a need for ways of getting messages to and forth in a quicker, more efficient way than by walking or horseback, and so around the time of the Greek empire, carrier pigeons were used, making this very first mail delivery service in history. The pigeon would a have a message tied to their leg, and would then fly it to its destination, often times having to make a return trip. They were used to deliver the results of the Olympics during the time of the Greeks, and were used up through World War II as a way to deliver battle plans and enemy locations. However, the use of carrier pigeons to deliver mail led to the creation of the postal service today.

We are going to fast forward a little. By 100 AD, the Chinese had invented paper as we know it today, and now allowed the free world to write messages clearly and quickly on paper, rather than rocks or clay tablets. With the invention of paper came ideas as to how to speed up the delivery of news in towns, since they were usually having to use word of mouth to spread important news and information. But this was proven to be unreliable, and many times rumors would be inadvertanly started as a result. Many ideas were tried, but not many worked. However, settlements began to publish things called newspapers, which allowed news to written in one place, and were posted in the center of town on a large board ot somesort. This was a breakthrough indeed, but again, not very efficient, until 1440 AD.

It was in this year the Johannes Gutenburg began working on a revolutionary invention, and by 1447 had perfected it: the printing press. Invented originally as a way to print Bibles translated into German, the printing press became an instant hit not just in Germany, but around the world. By 1500, there more than 200 units all over Europe, with 77 alone in Italy, making Italy the printing center of the world. Today, the printing press has been perfected by having become motorized, printing faster than ever. As a result of this, books were made available to poorer people, and newspapers were now printed for individual purchase and use. News was able to be spread faster than ever, but not fast enough for some evidently, because by the 1800's, people were still looking for faster ways of communication...however, THAT my friends is another essay.



Random Stuff

All of what I post under this heading is meant to give my blog some flair:

"Rob Larson Says..." FINAL WEEK

Here is a running list of quotes that I have found to be controversial, as stated by Rob Larson himself. My responses to said statements are also listed below. Enjoy.

This is the last quote of the year. Let's end on a high note Rob.

12/14/11 - "I am starting to feel a little fatter, so it must be winter."

Response: Rob, it could be a variety of things: lack of exercise, stronger gravitational pull, eating too much, water retention, etc. However, I don't think that the fact that winter starts next week is enough of an answer to why you suddenly feel fatter. It could also be the clothes. Did you ever think about that one Rob?

11/30/11 - "We are the media of the angels." (said during his two day lecture)

Response: My response is posted in a separate post -- too long for this one you know.

11/11/11 - "I believe that life is a test." (referring to why he does not like to give out tests in class)

Response: I completely agree with you Rob. Life is a test, and a very challenging one at that. If every teacher in the world believed in that philosophy, more students would going to college these days.

11/7/11 - "Your worldview is not as right as mine...that's not true." (referring to how important your worldview is to studying media.)

Response: Sorry Rob, but trying to immediately take back what you said does not erase it from the channels of history. No persons worldview is better than another person's. Some may be more complete or developed, but in the end, your worldview is strictly matter of opinion. And quite honestly, unless you feel compelled to share it with others, no one really needs to know what your view is -- although your is quite interesting.

10/28/11 - " I threw up this morning, and I threw up a bee." (making reference to him not feeling good that morning during class)

Response: That has to be the strangest thing I have ever heard in my life! How this happened, I suppose no one will ever know, but we can always wonder. Just for the record though, I had bee nightmares for two nights after hearing that.

Double the quotes this week! This first one is from Alex Jones (NOT ROB), taken from his documentary "Police State 4: The Rise of FEMA."

10/17/11 - "We're under martial law right now."

Response: According to Merriam-Websters Dictionary, we ARE NOT under martial law right now. Their definition for martial law is: the law administered by military forces that is invoked by a government in an emergency when the civilian law enforcement agencies are unable to maintain public order and safety. Last time I looked out the window or turned on the news, there were no men in military uniforms parading around with guns, enforcing the law! Alex my friend, someone has been watching WAY too many conspiracy theory movies. Everything seems pretty orderly here in Duluth.


10/21/11 - "These are not mine." (referring to the pack of smokes randomly sitting on the table in the classroom)


Response: I am glad they aren't yours Rob. Smoking is bad for your health anyway.

10/12/2011 - "These Smartphones can do anything!" (referring to his new cell phone, and all of the gadgets it came with)

Response - Actually Rob, they can't do everything. Contrary to popular belief, Smarphones can't keep you warm, or dry, or healthy for that matter. Now, I will admit that they can do a lot more than other phones can, but at the end of the day, they can't feed you like your mommy could. And, not that anyone is keeping score, but this is the THIRD time so far this semester that you have generalized something.

10/3/2011 - "It's important to me, so it's important to you." (referring to his story about having his identity stolen)

Response: Another generalization Rob! While I will agree that your story was important to hear, I can't speak for everyone else. Who knows what everyone else thought besides them? I can only hope that they felt just as bad as I did after hearing that story. How sad...

10/3/2011 - "I like to litter." (referring to his liking of littering)

Response: Funny? Yes! Appropriate thing to say right before Community Day? Not so much. Otherwise, it was a great thing to say...makes people laugh more, which is something Americans don't do enough of anymore.

This week's quote is NOT from Rob Larson (WHAT?!). Actually, this week's quote is from the first presentation on Friday, the group who recorded their voices into their Prezi. I am also not sure who was speaking here, but this was on the slide talking about the Creation story.

9/30/2011 - "Approximately 3.5 billion people believe in the Creation story." (referencing the Creation and how media came to be)

Response: Yes, 3.5 billion is the total number of people who practice one of the three monotheistic religions on Earth (Christianity, Islam, Judaism). However, let's keep an important fact in mind. We can't generalize. While I can say I believe the Creation story, I can't say, nor can anyone else, that all 3.5 billion monotheistic worshippers believe it as well. I know of several people who are Christians, and yet believe in Evolution and the Big Bang theory. Therefore, we can't be sure that EACH PERSON individually believes in that idea. The only way we could is to ask each person individually.

9/21/2011 - "What do you want for Christmas? If you're a guy, you want the craziest, most action packed game." (not sure what he was getting at actually...)

Response: Common misconception, and furthermore, a huge generalization. Now, I am aware the many guys like action packed video games, but not all of them. I myself prefer more of a sports game, or maybe something trivia based. However, I also know guys that don't play video games at all. I am not saying you were completely incorrect in saying that, because the majority of guys probably want an action packed game, but you should be careful to not include those who don't want one. I would've said this: "Most guys would like an action packed game for Christmas." And one more thing. Just for the record, why DID you say that anyway? Just curious.

9/9/2011 - "It's because of flouride..." (regarding the lack of critical thinkers in his Media Literacy class)

Response: This is a common conspiracy theory that has been around for decades. People have speculated that the goverment has purposely put flouride in our water supply as a way to 'dumb' us down a little, and hope to make us less aware of what they are actually doing to this country. Scientists have said that high amounts of flouride can damage the brain and nervous system, even though they have also stated that in small quantities, it can actually be good for our teeth. Regardless of what is said in the scientific community about flouride, there is no written and proven evidence suggesting that our water has been purposely contaminated by the powers above. Furthermore, I don't think that flouride is the direct correlation as to why so few of the students in the class think critically. I think the main reason is that so few teachers ask that of their students these days. That is the real reason behind the problem.

9/9/2011 - "The golden arches of McDonalds are more recognizable than the Christan cross." (regarding how important symbols are in society)

Response: There are approximately 2.2 billion Christians in the world today, which is over 25% percent of the world's population. It is also the largest religion on earth. Needless to say, I don't think that the Christian cross is less recognizable than the arches of McDonalds. In fact, I feel that the opposite is true, that the cross is MORE recognizable than the arches are. I would like to know where you found this fact, and how the writers of said fact found that to be true in the first place, because I find that hard to believe.