Chapter Four..

1. Describe your earliest memories of listening to radio. Do you remember a favorite song? How old were you? Do you remember the station's call letters? Why did you listen?


The only station that I can say I remember possibly listening to is 106.9 The Light. That particular station may have not existed 20 years ago. I'm not sure. But my parents are both Christians and they tend to listen to gospel music when driving, especially my mom. I'm not sure how old I was or what the station's call letters were. I just know that more than likely, 106.9 The Light was the radio station that I listened to for the first time ever. To this day, my mom still listens to that station on a regular basis; whereas, I listen to 95.1 and 96.1 more than anything.


2. If you could own and manage a commercial radio station, what format would you choose and why?


If I could own and manage my own radio station, I wouldn't use the format radio. I don't like the idea of management controlling the programming every hour rather than the deejays. The deejays know what music is popular and how to keep everyone entertained. I would probably end up using the Top 40 format. The Top 40 derived from the number of records stored in a jukebox, this format came to refer to the forty most popular hits in a given week as measured by record sales. I would make sure that I played the newest, hottest music in order to keep the younger generation enthused. 

Chapter Three

1. Who was your first favorite group or singer? How old were you at the time? What was important to you about this music?

My favorite musical group when I was younger was the Spice Girls. Like I mentioned in an earlier blog, I was obsessed with them. I wore their clothes, shoes, and listened to their music on a daily basis. I was around seven-years-old whenever I started listening to them. There wasn’t anything specific that I liked about their music. I believe that the beats that they had in their music was a major part about it that I liked. I was too young to understand what any of the lyrics meant, so the beats and rhythm to the songs had to have been what attracted me to that particular kind of music. 

5. Do you think the Internet as a technology helps or hurts musical artists? Why do so many contemporary musical performers differ in their opinions about the Internet?

Personally, I believe that the Internet as a technology helps musical artists especially certain programs like iTunes (even though iTunes isn't technically online). It gives fans the opportunity to preview artist’s music before it’s sold. This way fans can decide whether or not they are fans of that particular music or not. It does take nerve for certain artists to just put their music out there because there is the risk of people getting their music illegally. I believe that many contemporary musical performers differ in their opinions about putting their music online because of that risk that I mentioned before. Also, they are weary that people will take advantage of their music, and that they won’t purchase their music because it can be viewed online. 

Chapter Two

2. What possibilities of the Internet’s future are you most excited about? Why? What possibilities are most troubling? Why?

Well, I would have to say that there are plenty of things that we can be looking forward to whether it’s the internet, or any other sort of media. With everything that has been created now, I’m excited to see what else they can come up with. I would have to say that I’m most excited about the opportunities the Internet will provide with shopping, music, movies, etc. I can’t wait to see if they are going to provide a site where movies can be broadcasted all of the time, or if they will provide a certain discount to those who only shop online. I guess only time will tell. The most troubling possibility that I can think of would be if stores decided to close and only provide their shopping online. Yes, shopping online can be an advantage. But another advantage is being able to go to their store, see the product, and try it on. I’m not sure I like the idea of “virtual” shopping.

4. Do you think virtual communities are genuine communities? Why or why not?

I’m a firm believer that virtual communities are nothing like genuine communities. Virtual communities keep you from the things that really matter such as the one-on-one contact. Virtual communities are the main cause as to why teenagers are unsure as to how to keep a conversation running with a fellow classmate, professor, etc. Students are getting to the point that sending a text, or email is much easier than trying to arrange an appointment to talk to your professor. Virtual communities are typically just online. Talking to somebody through Facebook chat, texting, or chat rooms isn’t really talking to that person, it’s just typing. You can’t see the other person’s reaction to anything that is being said. Genuine communities are the idea of having one-on-one contact with another human because you want to, not because you have to. You would rather see them in person than send something to them virtually.

Chapter One

1. Using music or television as an example, identify a performer or program you once liked but grew away from as you got older and your tastes changed. Why do you think this happened? Do you think your early interests in popular music or television have had an impact on shaping your identity? Explain.

When I was younger, I was obsessed with the Spice Girls. I was determined that I was Baby Spice, the sweet and innocent blonde-headed singer in the group. I even went out and bought high platform tennis shoes like she wore. I even wore t-shirts with the Spice Girls embedded on it. I absolutely loved that group. As I grew older, the Spice Girls ended up splitting up and going their own separate ways. They were no longer my idols. Before their splitting up, I had already begun to listen to other groups and my interest for their music had declined. I would have to say that I think this happened because I was starting to mature and see what else entertainment wise was out there. I would have to say that I do believe that my early interests in popular music or television have had an impact on shaping my identity. If I would have never listened to the music that I listened to, I wouldn’t have developed into listening into the type of music that I like now. The music and television shows that I watched explain who I am today. 

3. Pick an example of a popular media product that you think is harmful to children. How would you make your concerns known? Should the product be removed from circulation? Why or why not? If you think the product should be banned, how would you do it?

After watching my boyfriend’s little brother play video games on a regular basis, I would have to say that video games are harmful, especially the violent games. They tend to become more of a priority over homework. I would make my concerns known by writing an article for my local newspaper. I wouldn’t suggest that the product be removed from circulation; however, I would suggest that they only allow a certain age group to buy that particular product such as eighteen and older. This would keep the younger aged children from being able to play these violent games. Violent video games are a lot of the reason as to why younger children get these crazy ideas. It teaches them that killing a human being is all right whenever it’s not.