Audio/Video/Blogs as Information Sources

In answer to an assignment from our Communication/Persuasion/Negotiation professor Bill Baue, I chose to analyze 3 podcasts posted by NPR: Climate Connection. This series is a terrific resource for people who love NPR and want to keep pace with current climate studies and projects. Podcasts are convenient and easily shared, but they have their limitations.

The pocasts I chase to listen to were:

Food & Climate: A Complicated but Optimistic View
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15747012
All of these stories originated on radio, so they carry the limitations of radio programs. One reason I love NPR though, is becasue I feel like I'm listening to a discussion happening just out of earshot. It's almost like if I step around a pillar I'll be able to see what they're talking about. Of course, when I really do want to see what they're looking at - I can't! That can be frustrating. Global food production and how it will be impacted by climate change is an important part of planning for a future with global warming as a central issue.

The interview with the guest took place with the sound of her discribing her work at NASA and crop models. We didn't miss anything in this podcast of a radio show that we needed to see to understand the story, which talked about Canada being able to grow agriculture while third world countries get too hot to produce food.

Hawaii Couple Reestablishes Ancient Plant Species
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17774504

This story is quite different. It's title immediately made me want to be able to view the topic of discussion: an ancient plant in Hawaii being established on the island where "urasic Park" was filmed Kawaii. The introduction designs a beautiful cave we're just dying to see. We can hear the birds, the breeze in the trees, but we can't see the cave or share the experience of the couple as they trail a set of footprints down a beach. It's clear, it's interesting, but it's limited to what they can communicate through sound.

and;

Crucial California Delta Faces a Salty Future
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18031391

This story talked about a delta and the failures of levies and peripheral canals. Flooding is a huge concern, and so is the availability of fresh water.

NPR does try to suplement the minimal visual satisfaction of radio by offering interactive sections of the page where you would access the podcast. They also have videos, slideshows, pictures and links to additional information. They do their best to satisfy our craving for visual information. These are the limits of radio. They still provide ease-of-use, convenience, and the ability to replay stories that you enjoy or want to share with others. Radio has it's limitations, but it adaquetly serves my curious nature and need to know.