Blog #4 - Jessica Beard
Today we had a discussion about the modern requirements of podcasts and what determines success within the medium. I began thinking about the broadcast performance “The War of The Worlds” by Orsen Welles and the similarities in content and style in modern podcasts. I have come across some podcasts that rely on drama, clickbait, and an exaggerated performance or delivery. In a way, this can be compared to the 1938 broadcast as it too exaggerated the content, and delivery and gave a dramatic rendition of events. The majority of readings focusing on “The War of The Worlds” claimed that it was one of the first instances of fake news through radio broadcasting systems. It is interesting to think about the consequences Welles faced for his broadcast dramatization, and the little repercussions fake news receives today. Marshall McLuhan discussed the Tribal Drum as the aural effects and influences of radio broadcasting on society and culture. McLuhan argues that radio should be viewed as a new medium of connection and or globalization of ideas rather than a new concept entirely. This is because the radio does not use any new techniques and instead relies on the oldest form of communication - oral culture. This still holds true today as modern podcasts can be noticed for using similar effects, styles, and performances to Welles's production. There are obvious differences as technology and culture have evolved yet, oral culture and storytelling have remained superior. As well, within a culture that is very much visual, the fact that broadcasts are still popular today, emphasizes MuLuhan’s argument. The transmission of the radio’s content and or soundwaves are easily digested by the listener using only one sense - hearing. Other mediums rely on their content as a form of literacy that is then communicated using visuals or speech. With that said, it is interesting to think about the presentation of fake news through different mediums. As well, as why drama, exaggeration, and a ‘messy’ structure are relevant in podcasts today.
“The War of The Worlds” was not a part of the regular broadcast channel which played a part in its effect. Consider the variety of podcasts out there today. Due to the number of podcast genres, themes, concepts, and use of facts or fiction, do you think that fake news is better detected through broadcast (podcast) or more believable?
Hi Jessica, Great post!
ReplyDeleteIn response to your question, i feel that fake news or fake content is not any better detected through a podcast or broadcast. I think that nowadays because there are so many different genres and people are producing podcast, people will do whatever they can to shock the audience and draw inn viewers. I think that lots of "storytime" style podcasts are simply made up stories that are intended to impress the listener or make the listener laugh, with very little significance on the truth of the story. Sometimes I listen to podcasts like this and I think "this can't be real", and it seems just totally made up. I think we are less able to detect the falsehood in this podcast because there are simply so many of any of them now. Any person is capable of making a podcast and sharing it on a public platform for infinite number of people to listen to. There is no regulation or rules to ensure that the content they share is accurate or truthful.