Essay 4.2

Mark Melchior

Eleanor Henderson

Academic Writing

April 17, 2011

Adjusting the Antenna:

Why Radio is Still a Relevant Medium

            My first thought when I saw the phrase ‘Rush Night’ was pretty blurry. I didn’t exactly know what to expect when I got there. Coming through my first week of freshman year the Park auditorium was still as daunting as day one. It has this odd, dark, eerie glow to it at first. You get used to it eventually. However, the misshapen, back-straining seats will always be the same. Twenty-some people were on the stage bullshitting about this and that. What they, “are all about here at WICB.” I was sold.

            This was the first experience I had encountered with working on a radio station, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been ignorant to it while growing up. I love radio. Everywhere I have ever been, radio was never to far behind. It was radio that introduced me to some of my favorite bands like Green Day and Sublime. It was radio that delivered me the news of the Iraq invasion a few years ago. Today, it’s radio that I dedicate my life to.

            “You will shadow veteran DJ’s. You will board operate a 2 hour shift. You will take a written exam and then, finally, must produce an exceptional demo tape.” These words from the station manager were enough to drive almost half the crowd away. I guess not everyone was as excited as I was, and so I put my name on the e-mail list. I didn’t know at the time it would eventually submerse me into one of the country’s most valuable media outlets ever invented. I shadowed, I operated the board, and wooed the executive staff with my charm. I even asked questions! I seem to never ask questions. Yet still there I was, practicing talk-sets in my room while my roommate was gone. Further on, in my still infantile, radio career I was finally awarded a DJ shift from two until four in the morning.

            At this point I had surrounded myself with so many “radio-junkies” that I didn’t realize how much danger FM radio was actually in. Apparently, people haven’t got the same taste for radio any more. The data even shows it. I looked into listenership ratings and was stunned by the information. In 2000 the peak hour of radio was 7 AM with 26 percent of potential listeners tuning into stations (Arbitron). Years later in 2009, radio listeners drifted and sent the percentage plummeting to around 18 percent (Arbitron). This has been made possible by contributions from alternative music sources. Before, most records were promoted via radio and hearsay. You had to listen if you wanted to know what the recording industry was working on. Now, with the Internet, people are able to search for new music themselves, download it illegally, and share it with their friends. Inventions like the iPod and Internet radio have also added to the problem. In addition, radio stations are losing listenership because they are “too commercial” and play a ton of advertisements. The issue there is that radio stations are losing money, because the recording industry is losing money. This loss can be attributed mostly to the fall of record sales because of downloads. To make up for this, radio stations sell advertising space more so than normal. It’s an unfortunate trap that stations and DJs face.

            Shortly after I started ‘DJ-ing’ I decided to work with the promotions team as well. It usually consists of a weekly meeting for about an hour or so. It was through working with the promotions department that I discovered what the Ithaca community has to offer. The promotions team and I have gone out into Ithaca countless times. We play music, have contests, and listeners get to win prizes. That’s always fun right? I always thought that it was cool to get out and be a part of the community, and explore the interest of my listeners and see what they enjoy. Apparently this has been one of WICB’s most respected qualities. In one of my classes a girl proposed that radio, “is mostly irrelevant now,” and that, “it’s not as modern or as good as something like Pandora.” According to her radio just couldn’t keep up any more. That night I read a few advertisements on the air for our iPhone app, Facebook, and Twitter pages. All while seated in a brand new studio with shiny microphones, a new iMac computer, and the sophisticated AudioVault music software.

            Weekly meetings generally consist of preaching about how to stay current. I was told that just like television we still have an obligation to stay up to date on news and information. Every week I find myself talking about a new story. It could be an event or concert coming up in town. After DJ-ing for a while I started to notice that listeners rely on me. There are plenty of people who have given thanks to our crew for one reason or another. Not that long ago a woman came up to me and recognized me by my voice. She said she loved my show and appreciated that I exposed her to some new music. This reliance proved to me that there are still people dependent on radio whether it’s for news, traffic, weather, music, or events. We happily answer this dependence by constantly trying to improve.

            Author and media expert Douglas Rushkoff said that good radio stations get “back in the box.” What he means is that instead of rebranding your station, or coming up with fancy ways to promote yourself will never suffice for content improvement (Ramsey, par. 1). Basically, instead of thinking about how to advertise better, think about ways to improve the actual product. We strive to serve the listener by treating them more like equals than our consumer. After all they are the ones who keep us in business. Rushkoff said of audiences, “I think what we’re starting to realize is that consumers are not just targets but they are really members of your company’s culture,” (Ramsey, par. 2). Still despite all of these great factors of radio, some still say that caring for the audience and staying current isn’t enough for them.

            One week, in class, we discussed how the proliferation of services like Pandora and other sources of music entertainment would affect FM radio. One student said that they liked Pandora better because it was more convenient and accessible. Another said that they prefer their iPod to radio because their music is “better”. I brought this kind of statement to some fellow DJ’s and staff members and they all had a similar answer. Things like Pandora can’t do what we can. We have the benefit of personality. We have an actual person behind the microphone. Working hard to select music and envelope you into the music world. DJ’s are not just people who put music on the air for your drive home. They are actors, performers, intellectuals and fanatics of music. Like it or not, there is a reason why certain people get behind the mic and others don’t. There will always be an attachment to FM radio because listening to a robot doesn’t achieve that same effect.

            Coming to the end of my freshman year I realized that radio influenced my behavior more than I could have expected. Becoming a DJ, in reality, was only a tiny step in learning what radio has to offer. It’s apparent that not only am I a DJ, but also a community leader and a performer. People look up to individuals like us because we have responsibility and care about our listeners. By this time I have developed an unparalleled sense of duty to provide entertainment for those who are loyal to the station. To me, the story of my DJ career has taught me some valuable lessons. I may not be able to say that I’m a YouTube sensation, or a television star. However, I know that as a radio personality I can say that radio certainly offers more than just the next song.

Works Cited

Arbitron. “Radio Today: How America Listens to Radio 2000 Edition.” Arbitron             (2000): 4-7. PDF file.

Arbitron. “Radio Today: How America Listens to Radio 2009 Edition.” Arbitron             (2009): 94. PDF file.

Rushkoff, Douglas. “How to Make Radio Relevant Again-An Interview with Media Futurist Douglas Rushkoff.” MarkRamseyMedia.com. MarkRamseyMedia.com, 2005. Web. 17 April, 2011.

Essay 4.1

Mark Melchior

Eleanor Henderson

Academic Writing

April 17, 2011

Adjusting the Antenna:

Why Radio is Still a Relevant Medium

            My first thought when I saw the phrase ‘Rush Night’ was pretty blurry. I didn’t exactly know what to expect when I got there. Coming through my first week of freshman year the Park auditorium was still as daunting as day one. It has this odd, dark, eerie glow to it at first. You get used to it eventually. However, the misshapen, back-straining seats will always be the same. Twenty-some people were on the stage bullshitting about this and that. What they, “are all about here at WICB.” I was sold.

            This was the first experience I had encountered with working on a radio station, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been ignorant to it. I love radio. Everywhere I have ever been, radio was never to far behind. It was radio that introduced me to bands like Green Day and Sublime. It was radio that delivered me the news of the Iraq invasion a few years ago. Today, it’s radio that I dedicate my life to.

            “You will shadow veteran DJ’s. You will board operate a 2 hour shift. You will take a written exam and then, finally, must produce an exceptional demo tape.” These words from the station manager were enough to drive almost half the crowd away. I guess not everyone was as excited as me. I put my name on the e-mail list. I didn’t know at the time it would eventually submerse me into one of the countries greatest media outlets ever invented. I shadowed. I operated the board, wooed the executive staff with my charm. I even ask questions! I seem to never ask questions. Yet still there I was, practicing talksets in my room while nobody was around. Further on in, my still infantile, radio career I was awarded a DJ shift from two until four in the morning.

            At this point I had surrounded myself with some many “radio-junkies” that I didn’t realize how much danger FM radio was actually in. Apparently, people haven’t got the same taste for radio any more. The data even shows it. I looked into listenership ratings and was stunned by the information. In 2000 the peak hour of radio was 7 AM with 26 percent of potential listeners tuning into stations (Arbitron). Years later in 2009, radio listeners drifted and sent the percentage plummeting to around 18 percent (Arbitron).

            Shortly after I started ‘DJ-ing’ I decided to work with the promotions team as well. It usually consists of a weekly meeting, about an hour or so. This is how I discovered the Ithaca community. The promotions team and I have gone out into Ithaca countless times. We play music, have contests, and listeners get to win things. That’s always fun right? I always thought that it was cool to get out and be a part of the community. To explore the interest of my listeners and see what they enjoy. Apparently this has been one of WICB’s most respected qualities. In one of my classes a girl proposed that radio, “is mostly irrelevant now,” and that, “it’s not as modern or as good as something like Pandora.” According to her radio just couldn’t keep up any more. That night I read a few advertisements on the air for our iPhone app and our Facebook and Twitter pages. All while seated in a brand new studio with shiny microphones, a new iMac computer, and the sophisticated AudioVault music software.

            Weekly meetings generally consist of preaching about how to stay current. I was told that just like television we still have an obligation to stay up to date on news and information. Every week I find myself talking about a new story. It could be an event or concert coming up in town. After DJ-ing for a while I started to notice that listeners rely on me. There are plenty of people who have given thanks to our crew for one reason or another. Not that long ago a woman came up to me and recognized me by my voice. She said she loved my shows and appreciated that I exposed her to new music. This reliance proved to me that many people are still dependent on radio whether it’s for news, traffic, weather, music, or events. We answer this dependence by constantly trying to improve.

            Author and media expert Douglas Rushkoff said that good radio stations get “back in the box.” What he means is that instead of rebranding your station, or coming up with fancy ways to promote will never suffice for content (Ramsey, par. 1). My experience with radio has been exactly that. We strive to serve the listener by treating them more like equals than our consumer. After all they are the ones who keep us in business. Rushkoff said of audiences, “I think what we’re startin to realize is that consumers are not just targets but they are really members of your company’s culture,” (Ramsey, par. 2). Still despite all of these great factors of radio, some still show that caring for the audience and staying current isn’t enough for them.

            One week, in class, we discussed how the proliferation of services like Pandora and other automated Internet radio stations would affect FM radio. One student said that they liked Pandora better because it was more convenient and accessible. I brought this kind of statement to some fellow DJ’s and staff members and they all had a similar answer. Things like Pandora can’t do what we can. We have the benefit of personality. We have an actual person behind the microphone. Working hard to select music and envelope you into the music world. There will always be an attachment to real radio because listening to a robot doesn’t achieve that same effect.

            Coming to the end of my freshman year I realized that radio influenced my behavior more than I could expect. Becoming a DJ, in reality, was only a tiny step in learning what radio has to offer. It’s apparent that not only am I a DJ, but also a community leader. People look up to individuals like us because we have responsibility and care about our listeners. By this time I have developed an unparalleled sense of duty to provide entertainment for those who are loyal to the station. To me, the story of my DJ career has taught me some valuable lessons. For me, I may not be able to say that I’m a YouTube sensation, or a television star. However, I know that as a radio personality I can say that radio certainly offers more than just the next song.

Works Cited

Arbitron. “Radio Today: How America Listens to Radio 2000 Edition.” Arbitron             (2000): 4-7. PDF file.

Arbitron. “Radio Today: How America Listens to Radio 2009 Edition.” Arbitron             (2009): 94. PDF file.

Rushkoff, Douglas. “How to Make Radio Relevant Again-An Interview with Media Futurist Douglas Rushkoff.” MarkRamseyMedia.com. MarkRamseyMedia.com, 2005. Web. 17 April, 2011.

Reflection 3.2

I haven't really though about the Rogerian assignment since it was turned in. I've been a little preoccupied with other schoolwork to really acknowledge what I have accomplished with it. Now that I think about it, I really appreciate learning Rogerian style. I may not have produced the greatest Rogerian argument ever but it is a very effective writing tool that I can now use. My parents always said of arguments, "Kill them with kindness." I think by writing a Rogerian piece I have learned how to do that much more efficiently. Overall, I think it will have been the most difficult essay this semester. However, I think I am most pleased with this one.

Essay 3.2

Mark Melchior

Eleanor Henderson

Academic Writing

March 28, 2011

 Public Sector Struggle:

A Rogerian examination of Wisconsin Union Troubles

            The American workforce has come a long way since the days of Carnegie and Rockefeller. Working conditions have made incredible advancements, along with salaries, benefits, and health insurance. Trade unions have been an essential piece of the public sector workforce since their establishment in early American history, and they have always proven that tradesmen need organizations to remain strong against private companies. Recently, Republicans legislature in Wisconsin has given an impressive blow to union power.

            It’s a shame to see such a great nation struggling. Between several military conflicts, trillions of dollars in debt, unemployment, and a wounded economy, America has an enormous struggle to overcome. All over the nation governments are piecing together solutions to solve these issues. In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker has devised a plan to save money and aid the state budget. However, his plan involves restricting the collective bargaining rights of Wisconsin unions. Under this bill, labor unions are no longer able to negotiate job condtions other than base wages. Other restrictions include no negotiation of overtime, premium, or merit pay. Municipal union employees are actually now no longer able to strike, “Nothing contained in this subchapter constitutes a grant of the right to strike by any municipal employee or labor organization,” (Wisconsin Act 10, 27). Other provisions of the bill include prohibiting unions to receive union dues from paychecks and annual elections on whether or not workers want to remain unionized (Lewis, par. 19, 20). These are only a few of the new laws passed in late March.

            Mr. Walker believes that his plan is in the correct interest of the state. I am happy to see that a politician is risking his reputation, and chance of reelection in order to carry out what he considers is the best solution. It takes an incredible effort to run a government and to keep a state, or nation, united. I have to say that I’m impressed with his endeavor to aid the state and country he loves. Some goals of the plan are to create an abundance of private sector jobs. He aims for about 250,000 to be created by the year 2015. In addition, he claims that this bill will actually save taxpayers money. According to news reports, Governor Walker has already amassed an incredible disapproval rating in the short time he has been in office. I applaud Mr. Walker not because he is considered crooked or unfair, but that this is an indication of his hard work. Although the bill would seem wrong, he has proven that he is not afraid to take action against a problem. Also, Mr. Walker has continued to remain visible to his people by appearing on television and speaking to protestors in the capitol in Madison, and this is an admirable trait.

            Unfortunately, Governor Walker hasn’t quite won my vote yet. Unions are absolutely essential to our society. Since their introduction they have been what is likely the most important force in improving the lives of public workers. I said before that I believe this budget plan is wrong and I am not without support. A recent survey from the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute shows that 65 percent of those polled believed that a more acceptable compromise should be determined. A major factor in the poll was the 70% of Independent voters that said they are against the new laws (WPRI). Some may be asking, what do unions really do? What do they provide? Almost every line of work has a union. Nearly everything from actors to construction workers belongs to a union. Growing up in a union family I was exposed to their importance very early. Blue Collar work is not exactly glamorous, nor is the lifestyle that comes with it. There were certainly days that my parents did not get to eat because they had four children to feed. I can remember the fear in Mom and Dad’s eyes when they told us he was laid off from work. I recall standing in line for school “lunch tickets”; A small piece of paper that amounted, basically, to a food stamp in the school cafeteria. Forty-cent lunches don’t exactly make you the coolest kid in the lunchroom either. Nonetheless, these people need those bargaining rights to provide for their families. We’re not seeing any construction workers get rich. They pay their taxes and provide for the community as well. They provide great lessons for children also. I learned that what is valued most in the workforce is dedication, and to not be lazy. It’s unfair to make these hard-working people suffer whilst companies like General Electric paid zero dollars on taxes in 2010 (Tapper, par. 1). Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) was quoted saying, “Let’s not forget who we are really talking about. We are talking about police officers that put their lives on the line to make our families safe and elementary school teachers who make sure our kids know their ABC’s,” (Lewis, par. 7).  These people are some of the most essential members of our community. It is in the nature of unions to negotiate, because it was that principle that they were formed. By limiting the core of their power we could be prone to a private sector with enormous dominance. Worker’s rights are incredibly important. In a country that was founded on freedom, and the right to choose, this bill is awfully counterintuitive to the nature of American philosophy.

            I, of course, am not a politician like Mr. Walker. I do not know enough about public policy to make the decisions that he and his committee do. I’m certain that, like myself, he truly values and cares for the well being of Americans. The GOP has a history of “union-busting” but I doubt this is his contribution to that cause. Limiting union power is wrong, and I like to think that he is not doing so out of malice or discontent. I trust that he wishes that he could save the jobs of those hard working people that have been laid off or provide support for public schools that have lost thousands in government funding. I believe he is simply doing so to improve our society by what he considers is the right thing. We see that unity is the one of the most important factors in repairing a nation. There no single policy that everyone is going to agree with. I think that it’s safe to say, however, with such an immense opposition to Governor Walker’s plan there has to be a more effective way to mend Wisconsin’s $3.6 billion deficit. If a different plan of action is not as effective, than maybe it could be more respectable. There have to be more ways to save money than damaging union’s ability to negotiate terms. It is, after all, one of the main reasons they are able to thrive.

            We cannot afford to add to America’s extensive list of socio-economic problems. Sadly, because Governor Walker pushed Act 10 into law this is exactly what has happened. What I would ask of the Mr. Walker, and other state officials, is that they make it a point to find solutions that will not hurt the equality in American business. There is no way around the struggle that is ahead. It has been made clear by our government that we will have to make some sacrifices. However, I think that it’s fair to say that solutions should be in the interest of all Americans.

Works Cited

Bauer, Scott. “Wisconsin Union Law Published Despite Court Order.” ABCNews.com.             26 March, 2011. ABC News. Associated Press. Web. 27 March, 2011.

Lewis, Finlay. “Should Unionizing Be a Purely Private Right?” CQ Weekly 14 March             2011: 565. Print.

Tapper, Jake. “General Electric Paid No Taxes in 2010.” ABCNews.com. ABC News.             March 25, 2011. Web. April 13, 2011.

2011 Wisconsin Act 10. State of Wisconsin. Legislative Reference Bureau. 28 March             2011. Web.

Wisconsin Policy Research Institute. “Public Opinion Backs Unions.” CQ Weekly             (2011): 566. Print.

Reflection 3.1

I guess I can say that I was mistaken when I thought it would be somewhat easy to write a rogerian argument. I actually struggled to form my argument for a while and I'm still not sure if I even succeeded in developing an appropriate paper. It took a lot more patience to write this one, because I constantly caught myself writing a more traditional argument. Another difficult aspect of this paper was using research. Although it was a struggle I think that I learned more than I originally thought from writing my paper.

Essay 3.1

Mark Melchior

Eleanor Henderson

Academic Writing

March 28, 2011

 Public Sector Struggle:

A Rogerian examination of Wisconsin Union Troubles

            The American workforce has come a long way since the days of Carnegie and Rockefeller. Working conditions have made incredible advancements, along with salaries, benefits, and health insurance. Trade unions have been an essential piece of the public sector workforce since their establishment in early American history, and they have always proven that tradesmen need organizations to remain strong against private companies. Recently, Republicans legislature in Wisconsin has given an impressive blow to union power.

            It’s a shame to see such a great nation struggling. Between several military conflicts, trillions of dollars in debt, unemployment, and a wounded economy, America has an enormous struggle to overcome. All over the nation governments are piecing together solutions to solve these issues. In Wisconsin, Republican Governor Scott Walker has devised a plan to save money and aid the state budget. However, his plan involves restricting the collective bargaining rights of Wisconsin unions. Under this bill, labor unions are no longer able to negotiate job condtions other than base wages. Other restrictions include no negotiation of overtime, premium, or merit pay. Municipal union employees are actually now no longer able to strike, “Nothing contained in this subchapter constitutes a grant of the right to strike by any municipal employee or labor organization,” (Wisconsin Act 10, 27). Other provisions of the bill include prohibiting unions to receive union dues from paychecks and annual elections on whether or not workers want to remain unionized (Lewis, par. 19, 20). These are only a few of the new laws passed in late March.

            Mr. Walker believes that his plan is in the correct interest of the state. I am happy to see that a politician is risking his reputation, and chance of reelection in order to carry out what he considers is the best solution. It takes an incredible effort to run a government and to keep a state, or nation, united. I have to say that I’m impressed with his endeavor to aid the state and country he loves. Some goals of the plan are to create an abundance of private sector jobs. He aims for about 250,000 to be created by the year 2015. In addition, he claims that this bill will actually save taxpayers money. According to news reports, Governor Walker has already amassed an incredible disapproval rating in the short time he has been in office. I applaud Mr. Walker not because he is considered crooked or unfair, but that this is an indication of his hard work. Although the bill would seem wrong, he has proven that he is not afraid to take action against a problem. Also, Mr. Walker has continued to remain visible to his people by appearing on television and speaking to protestors in the capitol in Madison, and this is an admirable trait.

            Unfortunately, I have to add that I am not offering any support for Governor Walker. Unions are absolutely essential to our society. Since their introduction they have been what is likely the most important force in improving the lives of public workers. I said before that I believe this budget plan is wrong and I am not without support. A recent survey from the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute shows that 65 percent of those polled believed that a more acceptable compromise should be determined. A major factor in the poll was the 70% of Independent voters that said they are against the new laws (WPRI). Some may be asking, what do unions really do? What do they provide? Almost every line of work has a union. Nearly everything from actors to construction workers belongs to a union. Growing up in a union family I was exposed to their importance very early. Blue Collar work is not exactly glamorous, nor is the lifestyle that comes with it. Nonetheless, these people need those bargaining rights to provide for their families. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) was quoted saying, “Let’s not forget who we are really talking about. We are talking about police officers that put their lives on the line to make our families safe and elementary school teachers who make sure our kids know their ABC’s,” (Lewis, par. 7).  These people are some of the most essential members of our community. It is in the nature of unions to negotiate, because it was that principle that they were formed. By limiting the core of their power we could be prone to a private sector with enormous dominance. Worker’s rights are incredibly important. In a country that was founded on freedom, and the right to choose, this bill is awfully counterintuitive to the nature of American philosophy.

            I, of course, am not a politician like Mr. Walker. I do not know enough about public policy to make the decisions that he and his committee do. I’m certain that, like myself, he truly values and cares for the well being of Americans. The GOP has a history of “union-busting” but I doubt this is his contribution to that cause. Limiting union power is wrong, and I like to think that he is not doing so out of malice or discontent. I trust that he wishes that he could save the jobs of those hard working people that have been laid off or provide support for public schools that have lost thousands in government funding. I believe he is simply doing so to improve our society by what he considers is the right thing. We see that unity is the one of the most important factors in repairing a nation. There no single policy that everyone is going to agree with. I think that it’s safe to say, however, with such an immense opposition to Governor Walker’s plan there has to be a more effective way to mend Wisconsin’s $3.6 billion deficit. If a different plan of action is not as effective, than maybe it could be more respectable. There have to be more ways to save money than damaging union’s ability to negotiate terms. It is, after all, one of the main reasons they are able to thrive.

            We cannot afford to add to America’s extensive list of socio-economic problems. Sadly, because Governor Walker pushed Act 10 into law this is exactly what has happened. What I would ask of the Mr. Walker, and other state officials, is that they make it a point to find solutions that will not hurt the equality in American business. There is no way around the struggle that is ahead. It has been made clear by our government that we will have to make some sacrifices. However, I think that it’s fair to say that solutions should be in the interest of all Americans.

Works Cited

Bauer, Scott. “Wisconsin Union Law Published Despite Court Order.” ABCNews.com.             26 March, 2011. ABC News. Associated Press. Web. 27 March, 2011.

Lewis, Finlay. “Should Unionizing Be a Purely Private Right?” CQ Weekly 14 March             2011: 565. Print.

2011 Wisconsin Act 10. State of Wisconsin. Legislative Reference Bureau. 28 March             2011. Web.

Wisconsin Policy Research Institute. “Public Opinion Backs Unions.” CQ Weekly             (2011): 566. Print.

Rogerian Pre-Writing

Idea
 -I plan to write about the union struggle in Wisconsin. Their rights are being taken away and I think it's an important and relevant topic to explore.
 -Opposition has removed union collective bargaining rights because it is part of a plan to decrease Wisconsin's debt. However, I think that there are better ways to fix their financial crisis than layoffs and removing their ability to negotiate.