talk-back

Submitted by the Grand Infidel of Kaffiristan (Australia), May 16, 2012 at 22:55

Ok Michel - some good points there re: pervasiveness of talk radio. I can report that there are several station here in Sydney - one even the government backed ABC channel - that do nothing but talk radio 24/7 - with an occasional music track. One of the commercial stations pioneered it back in the early 80's I think.

To me its popularity stems basically from 3 things - it's inherently interesting in hearing so many diverse opinions, you get a good handle on what many people are really thinking and the fact that Joe Public for the cost of a local call - can actually get to say what he really feels about any issue.

And some of the hosts feel very strongly about certain things and say so - as there is yet no law against holding an opinion (with the proviso that what is said does not amount to slander or cross any of the laws put in place by the multicultural industry.)

re traffic - Sydney's traffic jams are certainly on par with those of the worst in the USA -

"Traffic during peak hours in major Australian cities, such as Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, is usually very congested and can cause considerable delay for motorists. Australians rely mainly on radio and television to obtain current traffic information. GPS, webcams, and online resources are increasingly being used to monitor and relay traffic conditions to motorists.^"

Some people would listen in their cars to talk-back - others to a music channel - and yet others listening to podcasts they've downloaded on the Net about subjects they're interested in . I am one of the latter - considering commute time to be valuable learning time.

Maybe it's the German's love of routine and order - they don't want to upset the applecart - so don't complain about things they should be complaining about. And maybe Americans and Australians, Canadians etc - all the Anglophone 'frontier' countries realise that if they don't do something themselves - nothing will get done. Maybe we've seen how poor government policies on immigration result in the trashing of our distinctive cultures.

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