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"A century ago, the age of radio began in Germany. Cultural broadcasts made radio popular, though the Nazis later used it for their propaganda." It should be a

"A century ago, the age of radio began in Germany. Cultural broadcasts made radio popular, though the Nazis later used it for their propaganda." It should be a celebration, so many good things could be written about it, but the Germans always find a way remember their sins. In the first paragraph.

durnygbur 6y ago
That was shortly after the birth of audio and video broadcasting. People were especially susceptible to propaganda as it was amplified by the exciting factor of new flashy and noisy media. The population had cheap access to simplified radio receivers of state propaganda [1]. They don't mention it from courtesy, they mention it because it was that evil. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksempf%C3%A4nger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksempf%C3%A4nger
- pelasaco 6y ago
  People are always susceptible to propaganda. The Nazis used all medias including radio, movies, newspaper, music, etc.. Every regime did (does) the same, i guess? My point is that in a celebration day, there are so many positive things to talk about in the first paragraph. 100 years, of an awesome technology, that changed the history. Let's celebrate it!
  - durnygbur 6y ago
    > People are always susceptible to propaganda. Not exactly. Propaganda is easily amplified by new media forms. FB radicalization, streetfights fuelled by IG influencers, politicians declaring laws and wars on Twittter are something new. Have radio had any golden era? Nowadays I can continuously listen to radio, including public ones, maybe 20-30 minutes - until the occurence of first advertising block. The moment the radio starts shouting at me that I need to buy something, it's switched off. Among the few good things coming form radio is maybe radio drama [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_drama https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_drama
    - pelasaco 6y ago
      > Not exactly. Propaganda is easily amplified by new media forms. Nothing new said here. However the problem isn't in the media itself, but just that more people are consuming it. > Have radio had any golden era? Nowadays I can continuously listen to radio, including public ones, maybe 20-30 minutes Not if you are driving while snowing. Nothing while you are in a bunker because of a tornado. Nothing if you are in a land where war or energy blackout happen.
scyzoryk_xyz 6y ago
Well, within 10 years of this 'golden age of radio' we had Hitler delivering speeches and effectively using the medium and it's reach to dismantle democracy. Within 20 years they had society on board with genocide. I have great respect for German public media highlighting this and keeping it alive today. Especially at a time when in nearby eastern european countries the media infrastructure has been turned into a shameless propaganda machine which has been rewriting history with 'cultural broadcasts'. Not to mention operations such as RT further east. Publicly funded media is wonderful, don't get me wrong. But when the conditions are right it can turn Orwellian pretty fast.
- pelasaco 6y ago
  Sure, I'm not saying that it shouldn't be cited in the text. I'm just saying it doesn't belong to the first paragraph, as one of the most important things. You don't celebrate cars/apfelstrudel anniversary in Germany for example with such sad memories. The nazis and every authoritarian regime used/uses every technology available to control the people and spread fear.
- the-dude 6y ago
  Surely, you mean Radio Free Europe? ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Free_Europe/Radio_Liberty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Free_Europe/Radio_Libert... )

durnygbur 6y ago

That was shortly after the birth of audio and video broadcasting. People were especially susceptible to propaganda as it was amplified by the exciting factor of new flashy and noisy media. The population had cheap access to simplified radio receivers of state propaganda [1]. They don't mention it from courtesy, they mention it because it was that evil. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksempf%C3%A4nger https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volksempf%C3%A4nger

pelasaco 6y ago
People are always susceptible to propaganda. The Nazis used all medias including radio, movies, newspaper, music, etc.. Every regime did (does) the same, i guess? My point is that in a celebration day, there are so many positive things to talk about in the first paragraph. 100 years, of an awesome technology, that changed the history. Let's celebrate it!
- durnygbur 6y ago
  > People are always susceptible to propaganda. Not exactly. Propaganda is easily amplified by new media forms. FB radicalization, streetfights fuelled by IG influencers, politicians declaring laws and wars on Twittter are something new. Have radio had any golden era? Nowadays I can continuously listen to radio, including public ones, maybe 20-30 minutes - until the occurence of first advertising block. The moment the radio starts shouting at me that I need to buy something, it's switched off. Among the few good things coming form radio is maybe radio drama [1]. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_drama https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_drama
  - pelasaco 6y ago
    > Not exactly. Propaganda is easily amplified by new media forms. Nothing new said here. However the problem isn't in the media itself, but just that more people are consuming it. > Have radio had any golden era? Nowadays I can continuously listen to radio, including public ones, maybe 20-30 minutes Not if you are driving while snowing. Nothing while you are in a bunker because of a tornado. Nothing if you are in a land where war or energy blackout happen.

scyzoryk_xyz 6y ago

Well, within 10 years of this 'golden age of radio' we had Hitler delivering speeches and effectively using the medium and it's reach to dismantle democracy. Within 20 years they had society on board with genocide. I have great respect for German public media highlighting this and keeping it alive today. Especially at a time when in nearby eastern european countries the media infrastructure has been turned into a shameless propaganda machine which has been rewriting history with 'cultural broadcasts'. Not to mention operations such as RT further east. Publicly funded media is wonderful, don't get me wrong. But when the conditions are right it can turn Orwellian pretty fast.

pelasaco 6y ago
Sure, I'm not saying that it shouldn't be cited in the text. I'm just saying it doesn't belong to the first paragraph, as one of the most important things. You don't celebrate cars/apfelstrudel anniversary in Germany for example with such sad memories. The nazis and every authoritarian regime used/uses every technology available to control the people and spread fear.
the-dude 6y ago
Surely, you mean Radio Free Europe? ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Free_Europe/Radio_Liberty https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Free_Europe/Radio_Libert... )