Podcast 226

ASMR. Say what? How has communicating on the radio changed over the years, from the glory days of AM Rock Radio, to Progressive FM Radio, to today’s Talk Radio Ghetto on AM. Are internet delivered on-demand-audio broadcasts changing how we communicate? Autonomous sensory meridian response is a fancy name for getting tingles when you hear certain people speak. ASMR is pretty big on You Tube, with ASMR ‘artists’ garnering millions of views and shares, and likes, for their ASMR videos. Some of them talk about issues, some of them role play, some of them tell stories. One thing is for sure. They don’t yell and pound, and they don’t take calls. With public radio stations in many major markets now garnering a higher share than commercial news and talk radio, it may be that a softer vocal approach, while delivering information on heavy issues, delivered on-demand, over the Internet is ‘The New Talk’. (Editor’s note: I certainly think so!). This podcast includes a sample of favorite ASMR artists, plus some audio nostalgia, with air checks of the Late Great Larry Lujack at WLS in the early 70’s, and George Michael at WFIL around the same time period. Plus, a bonus sample of early – and rare – ‘Progressive’ FM Radio Giant, KSAN-FM in San Francisco, in 1969. Some people laugh at ASMR artists, but they’re using the new tools, in a completely different way, to have fun with sound, and media, and technology, and they’re clearly speaking to a new generation of ‘audio’ listeners. Are offerings like ASMR changing the way we communicate with media? How might that eventually change what we see and hear from politicians, cable news channels, podcasts, broadcast and internet radio, and each other? Time for a fun podcast about something new. Sponsored by X Government Cars, and by Depot Star

Podcast 203

Being Right. An email sparks some thoughts about the political discourse in The United States. Should a person who puts themselves out in the public eye as a commentator always be right, as in ‘correct’? Should everything they say be required to be proven ‘correct’ at a later date? Should a major league ball player leave the game if he fails to make an important catch? What does it mean to take a risk? What lessons have been learned in almost twenty years of talk radio? Political figures, writers, musicians, actors, comedians, and especially talk and podcast hosts take risks and put themselves ‘out there’ everyday. Should a person decline to use their talents because they are afraid of being ‘wrong’? Moreover, does the country gain from the increasing practice of demonizing and trying to destroy people who say things others disagree with, or are ‘shocked’ by? How has talk radio, and cable television (which has stolen the talk radio format) turned the body politic into tribes that demand their point of view, and only their point of view, be heard. Why radio and TV managers are suddenly terrified by opinions. How podcasting is changing this. And, a pitch for contributions to the Bob Davis Podcasts for the Podcast Van. Sponsored by Baklund R & D.

Podcast 200

Back Into The News. The News Cleanse is officially over, but there will be some changes on the podcasts due to lessons learned from it. What happened during the News Cleanse week? US Journalist James Foley got his head chopped off by Islamic militants (or, criminals, or thugs if you prefer). And, we’re surprised by this? And – gasp – that convoy of Russian military trucks painted white got into eastern Ukraine despite the red cross refusing to escort the convoy. Oh yeah, and the President played golf. After the guy got his head chopped off. At ease people. Go back to doing whatever you were doing. Nothing to see here folks. Meanwhile, the media keeps putting out noise. Fortunately Bob Davis is on it, to bring some clarity to these events, such as they are, and such as clarity is. An earthquake in Napa, California. The price of corn is down, which is bad for farmers, but good for steak eaters in the coming months. Fox Television is copying something from Bob Davis’ old radio show on KSTP. Bobovia will become a reality show called Utopia. You’re welcome, Fox. The Minneapolis Tribune is now taking its stories from the Bob Davis Podcasts, doing a big spread this weekend about gentrification in Uptown (where did they get that idea). You’re welcome, as well. And, oh yeah, the President played golf. And, a few more final observations about the cleanse. Sponsored by Baklund R & D.