Concerts aren't what they used to be

I read an interesting article today which caused me to stop for a second, and briefly take notice of the  society we live in.  It is no doubt waaaay different than the society I grew up in.  I came to the conclusion that social media has entirely changed our lives, and our way of life.  The article I read was in the Wall Street Journal, in the "Weekend Journal" section, which often discusses pop culture, the latest tech gadgets, movie reviews, etc.  It's not the typical WSJ material.  It was titled, "Is Video Killing the Concert Vibe?"  Essentially it discusses how the music industry, and artists specifically, have reacted to the proliferation of cameras, cameraphones, min-recording devices, etc. at their concerts.  We have all seen what happens next.  The concert-goer then downloads the footage onto their Facebook page, Twitter feed, Youtube and any other social media apparatus.  In addition to what may be blatant pirating, the article suggests that the modern-day concert is quite a different experience than it was even ten years ago.  People...fans...many of them, don't watch the band perform.  Rather, they record the show with their lit-up devices, and the recording becomes their focus...not the actual performance.  And therein lies the crux of the article:  Is this simply the way things are now?  Bands and their management lose revenue from the actions of the many, while simulatneously relinquishing "creative control" of their product, which is music.  The bands lose revenue because they lose the ability to make DVD sales and the like, because in many cases, the market becomes "flooded" with the amateur videos that are posted on the Internet for free.  Also at play here, is the bands' willingness to accept this behavior or not.  Do they want to alienate fans by not appeasing the younger generation, who feels it is their right to record and then post material on the world-wide-web.

If nothing elese, I found it interesting to read about just one other palpable way that social media is genuinely affecting our way of life.  You music lovers (like myself)...Thoughts?

Thoughts on Jon Stewart's "Restore Sanity" rally

Last week, political satirist Jon Stewart (Comedy Central) announced his plans to spearhead a sort of apolitical, political rally in Washignton D.C. on October 30, 2010 named the, "Rally to Restore Sanity."  As this video shows, the announcement garnered widespread media coverage, including considerable coverage from the "mainstream" media like ABC Worldnews, CNN, and even Fox News.  Not to mention the buzz it appeared to create among the Internet crowd, at least from my unscientific research.  The whole idea is obviously a jovial response to right-wing Glenn Beck's "Restore Honor" rally, that was held at the same location (the National Mall) in D.C. in late August.  Although it is, at least in part, a poking-fun-at-the idiocy-of the-Beck-rally, I also think Stewart is genuine in his intentions to "restore sanity" to America.  I for one, like Stewart, happen to believe that some of the political pundits in this country take themselves waaaay too seriously.  And I'm certainly not just singling out the hard-right pundits like Beck, Bill O'Reilly and pretty much all of the Fox News channel.  No, even guys like Keith Olbermann, a bleeding leftist, in my opinion go too far in their commentaries.  Stewart believes that most Americans, the "major majority" that Nixon used to refer to, are hard-working, centrist citizens, who care about taking care of their families, and on the weekends-hanging out with their friends...if they can.  They are, like myself, liberal on some issues, and conservative on others.  And though we might disagree with, say, President Obama on some ideologies, we don't think he is Hitler...nor did we think George W. Bush was either. 
However, have you seen some of the signs at some of these rallies in the last few years!!??  Holy cow, there are some pretty extremist views out there.  And Stewart is saying that for most of Americans, the "80% of us who have jobs, and families, and are otherwise trying to create a better life," their voice is far too often overlooked and rarely heard.  The louder 20%, Stewart contends, make their voices heard on the news programs that we watch, and read.   And that is a gross misrepresentation.  To me, that is the demographic Stewart is targeting with his latest satire.

Radio for the "Renaissance Man"

I'm a fan of talk radio.  When driving, my Sirius satellite radio is the perfect companion.  I listen to sports mostly, as I'm a huge jock...always have been.  But I also listen to CNBC, or Bloomberg Radio.  My affinity for business news equals my passion for sports news.  What attracts me to both is the fluid, dynamic nature of the information being disseminated.  And I listen to NPR (National Public Radio), the BBC Worldnews, and FoxNews to get the daily dope on current affairs and ploitics.  Yes, I like music.  Very much so, but when I'm in my car it's all about talk radio.

I've long had the idea of a talk radio format:  It would be sports and business focused, with major current events and politics sprinkled in.  Wouldn't that be awesome!?  I think so.  And the way our society has progressed, especially over the last 10 or so years, the line between sports and business is becoming less and less transparent.  So that really isn't much of a leap.  The current events and political stuff would have to be covered only when major incidents or events occur.  And rest assured, it wouldn't be politically biased to the right or left.  It would reflect my own views... I'm conservative on some issues (crimes/immigration/DUI), and liberal on others (drug laws, health care). 

Think of it!   A radio talk show that actively discusses sports, business, current events AND politics.  It could be a "one-stop shop."  And that is how it would be marketed.   I have never disclosed my idea to anyone...not even my good friends.  So what the hell, why not disclose my AMAZING idea on my first blog for all the world to see.   Anyone else think this has a chance??