Phone A Phriend

There was time, not too long ago when people went around carrying a transistor radio. There are still people out there who do that very thing. Although their numbers are dwindling. The simple reason is because of the phone. Everyone has one. It has gone from being a luxury to an outright necessity. And for the people who make these things, it's practically a bullet proof business.

People will pay good money for the latest and greatest device. Even if that device's selling point is functionally useless. For example, the new folding phones. In this episode, Ric will tell you that he knows of no one who ever expressed an interest in such technology. But now that it appears to be the next big thing, people think they have to have it in their pocket.

Plus, a sentence you would never have thought ever being constructed is spoken.



NEXT WEEK: Some of you are wound a bit too tight.

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Death To The Disc

The Compact Disc seems to have run its course. Or, has it? In this episode, Ric takes a look at all the various formats that led to the CD through the eyes of a radio personality. How it got here and just what is it good for now? Before you go thinking this is nothing more than some boring look at technology, there is much to be said about how far our technology have come and how much further it might go. Better yet, have we reached the end of the road for audio technology. Plus, Ric's unpopular thought of the show.



NEXT WEEK: Who decides the picture?

Too Connected

There are some fantastic technological things at our fingertips. We can do a lot of great things. You can attribute a good chunk of these advancements to computers. More specifically, your phone. The things we get to do with that device come with an interesting trade-off. One such thing is dealing with Facebook's Messenger. Oh, it can be quite the pain in the ass. But is there something more nefarious going on?

Also in this episode, Ric takes a look at kind of a strange scenario that involved pretty much all of the Target stores in the United States. All of their registers stopped working at the same time. Does this point to a serious weakness in our technology? Some scary scenarios are ahead. Listen now.



NEXT WEEK: Paper or Plastic?

Talking Tech with Dianna Fryer

For several years now, companies have found new and inventive ways of removing people from various industries, even in the world of broadcast. Which is sad. It's as if technology was sucking the fun right out of the business.

But what happens when you put people back into the mix? In the new format of From Radioland, I sat down with Dianna Fryer, General Manager of Pirate Radio Studios, Inc. to discuss this very thing.

Also, a new element has been added to the show, Playing Favorites.



NEXT WEEK: Talking about the weather with Austen Onek.

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The NAB is Wrong

Like many other industries, broadcasters have a lobby group. And like many lobby groups, they are in the dark about the industry they are supposed to work for. The National Association of Broadcasters is one such group.

For some reason, someone at the NAB thought I should be added to their mailing list. Considering, the NAB only represents AM/FM terrestrial broadcasters, I clearly don't need to be a part of this thing. Nor would I want to be.

Their annual convention is coming up later this month and guess who got an invite.

Plus music from Chinese Connection Dub Embassy.



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NEXT WEEK: Stop the presses. No, seriously. Turn them off. Plus music from Dory Drive.

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A Change is Gonna Come (and you are not going to like it)

I say that because we, as a society in general, seem so resistant to any sort of change. The world is evolving thanks to technology. The way we adapt to any sort of change is amusing to me. Part of how we react and, indeed change is something entertaining to witness.

Yes, I talk about everything from technology to immigration. How does the rest of the world perceive us? That is also rather amusing.

Also, why do I carry a bag to just about every place I go? Because I carry too many damn things.



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NEXT WEEK: From Radioland - From the air. A visit with Eric Sommer as it aired on Radio Memphis.

Stay tuned...