Old Media Meets New

Sometimes you're just struck by the ironies. We re-visited Hyde Park this weekend, and meandered through the FDR Library & Museum, which is running an exhibit on FDR's First 100 Days. Lots of interesting things to compare. Back in 1933, FDR revolutionized political communication with the simple introduction of radio 'fireside chats', bringing conversation from a sitting president into the living rooms of American households for the first time. The museum is wall-papered with thousands of letters and telegrams to that president from all corners of the country, expressing support for the simple fact of his efforts to share his thoughts and plans informally in a time of national crisis . Fast forward, we've got a new president whose campaign showed us how to harness the grassroots power of the Internet to engage audiences, and who has recently taken some heat for 'over-exposing' his message through a marathon series of appearances on TV news and talk shows.



At the end of the museum visit we got back in the car for the 90-minute ride home. And did what along the way? Listened to a CD of personal short stories from a live event sponsored by The Moth, an organization that brings busy people together in cities to hear well-crafted stories from well and lesser-known storytellers. The next day, I took an early walk while plugged in to the latest Slate Gabfest podcast on my ipod. Marveling that the old radio magic of 'listening' is still with us today after all.